Jessica Fagan, a full-time dental hygiene instructor at Carrington College in Sacramento, California, recently authored a piece in Dimensions of Dental Hygiene magazine.
The article, titled “Choosing the Most Appropriate Restorative Material,” discusses the use of amalgam restorative materials, which have been recently declining in popularity.
Dental amalgam is a liquid mercury and metal alloy mixture used in dentistry to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. While composite materials may seem like the obvious replacement for dental amalgam, some research shows that it is not as durable as amalgam, which has been used in dentistry for more than 165 years.
Oral health professionals need to remain up-to-date on the alternatives so they can best advise their patients. While dental amalgam has historically been the gold standard, the use of composites as a restorative option has grown in popularity.
The article addresses some of the most recent studies, use cases, amalgam alternatives, and the impact they have on both the environment and oral health professionals.
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal that connects practicing dental hygienists with the nation’s leading educators and researchers. The publication brings an industry perspective and insight into how advancements in treatment and product development address the changing needs of the marketplace.
In addition to being a full-time faculty member at Carrington College, Jessica Fagan has worked as a practicing dental hygienist for years prior to entering academia. Fagan is a published author and an advocate for the dental hygiene community. She lectures at national conferences, including the Greater New York Dental Meeting.
