DENTAL AMALGAM: EFFECTS OF ALLOY/MERCURY MIXING RATIO, USES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Authors

  • Kefi I Kefi
  • Maria A Maria
  • Majid Z Majid
  • Sana J Sana
  • Afreen M Afreen
  • Fareed M Fareed
  • Feroze A Feroze
  • Sajid H Sajid
  • Adel S Adel
  • Iftikhar A Iftikhar
  • Yawer A Yawer
  • Kaleem M Kaleem

Abstract

Background: Silver dental amalgam is one of the oldest filling materials used in dentistry. TheAmerican Dental Association (ADA) has estimated that billions of amalgam restorations have beenplaced in patients in the last 150 years. Due to the presence of mercury and mishandling during thefilling make it more controversial. The objective of this study was to conduct a survey of the use ofdifferent brands and to assess any deviations in practice from the hand mixing manual method ofelemental mercury and alloy in a pestle/mortar and encapsulated form. Methods: A questionnaire wassent to 250 of randomly selected dental practitioner in various localities of Karachi. Data was analysed torecord the specified brands used along with their powder/liquid (P/L) ratio and the different methods fordisposing off mercury in this study. Results: The most commonly used form of dispensing method washand mixing (57%) and only 30% of the dentists followed the manufacturer instruction for hand mixingratio. Eighty-seven percent of dental amalgam restoration was performed and 13% removed by thedentist per month and the method of disposing the amalgam wastage that 55%, 25%, and 20% dentistswere used the sink, bin and other methods respectively in their dental clinics. Conclusion: Amalgamrestoration is still popular filling material in the posterior region of the mouth but we need to createawareness among the dentists who do not follow the ADA specifications.Keywords: Dental amalgam, alloy mercury ratio, amalgam wastage, amalgam dispensing

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Published

2011-12-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 4 (2011): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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