Silma Nurul Azkia

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Amalgam
Dentistry is always related to the problem of tooth decay. Doctors usually advise their patients to take
tooth filling or tooth extraction. When filling the tooth, they always use a filling material that suitable for
the dental and the problem. Such as amalgam.
Amalgam is an alloy containing mercury into the silvery paste when it mixed, and become soft then
harden. Alloy that mixed with the mercury called dental amalgam alloy. They containing Ag ( silver )
68.50 % ; Sn ( Tin ) 25.50% ; Au ( gold ) 5 % ; Zn ( zinc ) 1 % .
Amalgam is the most commonly used material, because this material can last a long time as filling
material , easy to manipulate , easy to adapt with oral fluid , relatively low prices and the most
important is the amalgam has the power to withstand chewing pressure.
However, amalgam also has several effect as a result of the composition of mercury that are harmful for
health. Mercury in free is very dangerous to the health as it can poison to the body. Mercurys effects
are not only threatening to the health of the patient but also the dentists, mercury vapor is inhaled at
the time of stirring amalgam which can cause cumulative toxic effects on the dentist. Effects of amalgam
on the health of the body can actually be solved through the technic expertise doctor dental fillings. And
until now the amalgam is still be a good choice in dentistry .


References:
http://repository.usu.ac.id/bitstream/123456789/23800/3/Chapter%20II.pdf
http://ilmudoktergigi.blogspot.com/2009/02/biokompatibilitas-amalgam_12.html
Senarai Istilah Kedokteran Gigi, drg. Narlan sumawinta, Sp.KG:EGC
Walton Richard E., Torabinejad M. Prinsip dan Praktik Ilmu Endodonsia. Ed. 3. Jakarta : EGC. 2008. P. 31-
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