The Ultimate Amalgam Alternative – Mark Allen

  Posted by: Dental Design      7th April 2018

The use of dental amalgam has long caused a divide amongst professionals, with many concerned about the material’s safety. This, along with aims to reduce the release of mercury into the environment has contributed to the introduction of new regulations for the dental profession.[1]In the long-term the intention is to phase out amalgam, possibly by as early as 2030, with restrictions and rules around usage to be implemented in the meantime.

From 1 July 2018, for instance, dental amalgam will no longer be allowed for the treatment of deciduous teeth, children under the age of 15 years old and pregnant or breastfeeding women, except if deemed strictly necessary. Further stipulations include mandatory use of amalgam separators and the use of amalgam in pre-dosed encapsulated form, both of which will come into force from 1 January 2019. Full details are available from the document, Regulation (EU) 2017/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on mercury, and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 1102/2008.¹

As the stipulations of the regulations come into effect, dentists will need to find a suitable material to replace amalgam. For deep, fast, perfect results, COLTENE recommends Fill-Up! – a dual curing bulk fill composite for Class I and Class II cavities. Fill-Up! is the only dual cured bulk fill available in the UK that provides thorough and gentle curing right down to the deepest layers. No other bulk fill composite is yet able to offer an unlimited curing depth.

These unique qualities mean that the next generation restorative material can be administered in arbitrary thickness quickly and efficiently with guaranteed curing – perfect for cases where the use of a curing light is difficult or where time is a constraining factor. In other words, cases where the patient is suffering from dental anxiety or when treating children, the elderly and those with additional needs.

Above all, Fill-Up! is completely safe and offers first class results with minimal shrinkage, excellent marginal adaptation and amazing aesthetics at a reasonable price that dentists and patients alike can afford. It comes in a universal shade that matches A2-A3 on the VITA shade guide to blend in well with the surrounding teeth, which alone should persuade dentists to make the switch from amalgam. Regulations aside, patient expectations for a high performing, aesthetic restoration makes amalgam the lesser attractive option in many instances. For all those reasons, Fill-Up! should be considered a first choice alternative to amalgam moving forward.

To find out more visit www.coltene.com, email info.uk@coltene.comor call 01444 235486

[1]Regulation (EU) 2017/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on mercury, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1102/2008. Accessed online March 2018 at http://www.bdia.org.uk/uploads/PDFs/MERCURY%20REGULATION.pdf

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