Dental Amalgam
Historically, dental amalgam is the world’s most commonly used restorative material. Its use is declining due to patient and professional demand for tooth-coloured restorations that are adhesive and promote minimally invasive tooth preparation techniques.
Significant reduction has also resulted from environmental concerns relating to dental amalgam’s ~50% mercury content. This course provides a comprehensive review of the status of dental amalgam including its advantages and disadvantages, amalgam safety, regulations and legislation and a comparison with alternative restorative materials.
Amalgam remains an excellent restorative material for long-lasting restorations in large/complex cavities and where moisture control presents challenges.
Aim
The aim of the learning and teaching materials in this Dentaljuce module is to allow learners to develop their professional knowledge, understanding and competence in direct restorative dentistry using dental amalgam, in line with their identified personal learning requirements.
Course objective
- to demonstrate the indications for and against, and use of, dental amalgam.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will, with respect to the components that he or she has elected to study as listed below:- learn the indications for and against operatively treating carious and non-carious lesions with dental amalgam.
- appreciate and apply the minimal intervention philosophy regarding the management of dental disease with amalgam.
- learn the best techniques for placing and shaping amalgam restorations.
- through achieving these outcomes, provide an improved level of service to their patients.
GDC Development Outcomes
This CPD will support the learner in meeting the following GDC Development Outcome(s): C.