title: Amalgam at the new millennium.
abstract: Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for many years, despite periods of controversy. The authors review its history, summarize the evidence in regard to its performance and offer predictions for the future of this material. For the present, amalgam should remain the material of choice for economical direct restoration of posterior teeth. When esthetic concerns are paramount, tooth-colored materials, placed meticulously, can provide an acceptable alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7890, USA.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Summitt
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation; D003764:Dental Materials; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005544:Forecasting; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003764:Dental Materials; D003723:Dental Amalgam