Biomaterial Database

Clinical evaluation of four dental amalgams over a three year period. 1993

W J van der Merwe

Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Southern Africa, Medunsa.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical durability of four dental amalgams. In each of eighty-two patients one class 2 cavity was restored with Dispersalloy (Johnson and Johnson) which served as the control and all the other class 2 cavities were randomly restored with one of the following amalgams: Amalgaphase, Amalga 43 (Amalgam Alloys-South Africa) or Permite C (Southern Dental Industries). Matrix bands were placed and Kalzinol bases and Polyvar varnishes applied in all cavities. The amalgams were mixed according to the manufacturers' instructions, the cavities overpacked with amalgam, condensed by hand, carved and then burnished with a ball burnisher. Twenty-four hours later all restorations were polished and colour photographs taken. The restorations were evaluated using the Ryge and Snyder (1973) evaluation system, as well as comparison of the colour photographs. The Fisher's Exact Test was used for the statistical analysis. The two South African manufactured amalgams compared well with the two imported amalgams. However, at the end of the third year the score for the marginal integrity of Amalgaphase, one of the local products, was significantly different (p < 0.083) and inferior to that of the control, Dispersalloy. Evidence is produced to suggest that over a three year period Amalgaphase performed better than Dispersalloy, Amalga 43 and Permite C.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003722	Dental Alloys	A mixture of metallic elements or compounds with other metallic or metalloid elements in varying proportions for use in restorative or prosthetic dentistry.	Alloy, Dental,Alloys, Dental,Dental Alloy
D003723	Dental Amalgam	An alloy used in restorative dentistry that contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and possibly zinc.	Amalgam, Dental,Amalgams, Dental,Dental Amalgams
D003731	Dental Caries	Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp.	Caries, Dental,Carious Lesions,Dental Cavities,Dental Cavity,Dental Decay,Dental White Spots,Carious Dentin,Decay, Dental,Dental White Spot,White Spot, Dental,White Spots, Dental,Carious Dentins,Carious Lesion,Cavities, Dental,Cavity, Dental,Dentin, Carious,Dentins, Carious,Lesion, Carious,Lesions, Carious,Spot, Dental White,Spots, Dental White
D005500	Follow-Up Studies	Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease.	Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013019	South Africa	A republic in southern Africa, the southernmost part of Africa. It has three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial). Officially the Republic of South Africa since 1960, it was called the Union of South Africa 1910-1960.	Republic of South Africa,Union of South Africa
D013499	Surface Properties	Characteristics or attributes of the outer boundaries of objects, including molecules.	Properties, Surface,Property, Surface,Surface Property
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D018772	Dental Marginal Adaptation	The degree of approximation or fit of filling material or dental prosthetic to the tooth surface. A close marginal adaptation and seal at the interface is important for successful dental restorations.	Adaptation, Marginal, Dental,Marginal Adaptation, Dental,Dental Internal Adaptation,Dental Internal Fit,Adaptation, Dental Internal,Adaptation, Dental Marginal,Adaptations, Dental Internal,Adaptations, Dental Marginal,Dental Internal Adaptations,Dental Internal Fits,Dental Marginal Adaptations,Fit, Dental Internal,Fits, Dental Internal,Internal Adaptation, Dental,Internal Adaptations, Dental,Internal Fit, Dental,Internal Fits, Dental,Marginal Adaptations, Dental