Dental Amalgam

Amalgam - a mixture of metals consisting of Hg(l) and a powdered allow composed of silver,
tin, copper etc
COMPOSITION
• Alloy (Ag, Sn, Cu, other trace metals)
• Hg(l)
Trituration - the process of mixing the Amalgam alloy particles with mercury

Problems of γ2 alloy:
• Weak tensile strength
• Corrosion
THUS
HIGH-COPPER AMALGAM
(Modify by adding Cu or its alloy to reduce content of γ2)
• Admixed Cu
• Unicompositional Cu

1. Cu (added in amount of 2-40%)

• To increase strength, hardness and
corrosion resistance
• To reduce the dimensional change of
amalgam
2. Zn (up to 2%)
• To scavenge O2 & Sulphur content

Resin Composite
Composite - consists of 2 or more materials, eg polymer & C fibre

COMPOSITION
• Organic resin matrix (chemically active that can be converted from liquid monomer to rigid
polymer by radical addition reaction)
- Bis-GMA / UDMA
- Bis-GMA may leach continuously cus there’s no 100% polymerisation occur in reality,
Bisphenol-A <—> Bis-GMA is equilibrium reaction

• Fillers (to enhance the mechanical / physical / biological properties)

- micro/nano quartz (to improve & adjust physical, mechanical, biological properties
- to reduce shrinkage, thermal expansion
- provide radiopacity
- control aesthetic and flowability
- increase bacterial and bone regeneration properties

• Interface bonding
- silane coupling agents (to enhance mechanical strength / toughnesss of the composites
by forming strong chemical bonding b/w filler and resin)

CURING METHOD
• Chemical curing (initiator + activator)
• Light curing
Glass ionomer Cement
Glass - glassy ceramic particles & glassy metric of the set material
Ionomer - ion-crosslinked polymer

COMPOSITION
• Glass
• Polyacid
• Water
• Tartaric acid

GIC SETTING REACTION

• Dissolution - hydrolysis of glass, releasing Ca2+ & silicate
• Gelation - Ca2+ chelate w (PA)-, silicate form silica gel
• Hardening - hydrolysis continues, further release silicate & Al3+

COMPARING PROPERTIES BY STRESS-STRAIN GRAPH

Strength - how much stress applied until breakage (max value of y-axis)
Stiffness - m elastic portion
Flexibility - elastic range (x-axis value of proportional limit)
Resilience - area under elastic range
Ductile vs Brittle - range of plastic region
Toughness - area of whole graph

Advantages Disadvantages

Amalgam • Least expensive • Possible mercury toxicity

• Durable • Unaesthetic
• Good mechanical properties • Potential allergic reactions
Resin • Less tooth reduction • High-volume shrinkage causing marginal
Composite • Simple to handle (by light cure) defects and gaps
• Aesthetic • Lower strength than real tooth
• Radiopaque • Low wear resistance
• Cost-effective • UV light for light cure is harmful to soft
tissues esp eyes
GIC • Releasing fluoride • Weak mechanical properties
• Good bonding with tooth (dentine & • Radiolucent
enamel)
Fluoride
MECHANISM IN CARIES PREVENTION
1. Action on HA of enamel
• Decreases solubility
• Improves crystallinity
• Remineralizes Ca-depleted mineral
2. Action on bacteria of dental plaque
• Inhibit enzymes
• Suppress cariogenic flora
3. Action on enamel surface
4. Alteration of tooth morphology

Dental fluorosis - hypomineralization of enamel due to excessive fluoride intake

• Excessive fluoride intake inhibit enzymatic function of ameloblast
• Results in defective matrix formation and then hypomineralization
• Hypocalcified enamel easily becomes hypo plastic after eruption due to abrasion and wear
• Enamel becomes easily fractured & poor appearance

Tooth Eruption Sequence

PERMANENT
Maxillary: 3486719
Mandibular: 2357719

56, 67, 78, 89, 910, 1011, 1012, 1112, 1213