During a dental examination in March earlier this year I noted a large amalgam filling I placed in a lower molar tooth some 24 years ago (Figure 1) and wondered what some of the large composite restorations I am placing now will look like in another 24 years. Sadly, unless I am still working when I am 83 years-old, I won’t be around to find out.
Figure 1. Large amalgam filling in lower molar tooth.
With Minimata and the reduction in the use of amalgam I thought I would like to pay my respects to what was, in my humble opinion, a very successful, and relatively cheap, dental material. This prompted me to pen a little ditty, which I hope makes your readers chuckle.
G V Black would turn in his graveto discover amalgam is being waved goodbye.We are turning our backs on his classic designIn favour of composite, white and sublimeNo more undercuts, slots'n’grooves,Pluggers and packers all old newsBurnishers and finishing all old hat.What would GV Black think of that?Instead of Eames, and an alloy that gleams,A resin that's white and sparkles brightWhere conversion rates and particle sizeWill determine the dazzle hitting our eyes.White is the future or so we are toldPack it in bulk and hope it holds?No mercury, nor silver or poisonous things Let's not worry about the benzene rings?C factors and stress are now the issue,Come now please pass me a tissue.The patients all love it, apart from the cost,The departments coffers are now at a lossOr is it the dentists that take the hitWhen material costs dampen our wit?Twas ever thus in a broken systemWhere quantity prevails as the given wisdom.But time will tell if fillings last longerOr the beautiful fillings are very much stronger. Hopes remain high, bonding's the future 10 MDP, monomers and esters,But if we are wrong we’ll be the jesters.If all fails, and everyone wailsThere's always perio!
