Composites Are Superior to Amalgams

Composite resin fillings are the replacement material for amalgam. They are composed in large part of quartz or a silicon powder and a resin matrix in which the particles are suspended. Composite fillings feel and look like normal teeth and will last a long time with the proper care.

 
 

Today many composites are superior to amalgam. A 1994 study by the prestigious Clinical Research Associates group of Provo, Utah, looked at 21 dental filling materials over three years. They ranked each according to wear, marginal adaptation (closeness of fit to the tooth), surface smoothness, wear of opposing teeth, breakage and color match.

Eleven of the 21 filling materials were composites. They are called direct placement composite resins. The ADA has been saying for years that direct placement composite resins are inferior to amalgam because they wear faster, have more recurrent decay and may increase the need for root canals. The Provo study demonstrated that all of these claims are untrue.

The results showed that recurrent decay and root canal therapy did not happen often enough on all materials combined to even be considered as significant.

  		 

 
Amalgam was ranked 14th in overall strength, durability and effectiveness behind 11 composite filling materials and two porcelain/ceramic materials. Ten of the top 11 materials were composites. Almost two-thirds of the materials studied were found to be superior to amalgam.