Final answer:
An occlusal amalgam filling is a dental restoration procedure using a mixture of metals, including mercury, to repair tooth decay on the biting surface. The material's durability and cost-effectiveness make it a common choice, although concerns about mercury's toxicity have led some to consider alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Occlusal Amalgam Filling
The occlusal amalgam is a type of dental restoration used to repair decay in the biting surface of a tooth. Dentists use amalgams containing silver and other metals like tin and copper to fill cavities. These amalgams are known for their longevity, ease of manipulation, and low cost. The process may require tools like hoi-excavators and half-cone burrs to shape the cavity for the filling.
During the treatment, temporary fillings like gutta-percha may be used before the final amalgam is placed. Amalgams are approximately 50% mercury by weight, a point of contention due to mercury's toxicity, although the FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. Alternative materials such as composite resins may be used but may lack the durability of amalgams in some cases.
Restoration techniques such as bridging and crowning might be employed in complex cases, for instance, when a tooth can't sustain a crown and adjacent teeth are utilized as support. The procedural approach is very technique-sensitive and requires a high level of precision and consideration of the patient's comfort during the process.