title: Posterior amalgam restorations--usage, regulation, and longevity.
abstract: The use of dental amalgam has declined, but in most of the world, amalgam is the most widely used and widely taught direct restorative material for load-bearing posterior restorations. There are few national regulations on the use of amalgam; however, there are several nations where few amalgam restorations are placed. Long-term studies have shown that under optimum conditions, posterior restorations of amalgam and resin composite last longer than reported previously and that amalgam restorations outlast composite restorations. In general practice settings, posterior amalgam and composite restorations both have lower longevities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Practice, College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, D641 Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. rjm1@uky.edu
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okabe
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D009656:North America; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam