Materials for Restoration of Primary Teeth: 1. Conventional Materials and Early Glass Ionomers

From Volume 28, Issue 10, December 2001 | Pages 486-491

Authors

G.J.P. Fleming

BSc, PhD

University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Hayes

Articles by G.J.P. Fleming

F.J.T. Burke

DDS, MSc, MDS, MGDS, FDS RCS(Edin.), FDS RCS, FADM

Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Glasgow

Articles by F.J.T. Burke

D.J. Watson

MSc, DDPH RCS, BDS

Dental Department, Greenock Health Centre, Hayes

Articles by D.J. Watson

F.J. Owen

MSc, BDS

The Warren Health Centre Dental Department, Hayes

Articles by F.J. Owen

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how the treatment of primary dentition may present the clinician with increased difficulties compared with the preparation and placement of restorations in adult dentition. Established dental materials (dental amalgam and conventional glass ionomer cements) and less well established alternative materials (copper cements) are reviewed. The use of amalgam to restore primary dentition is the subject of concern amongst the dental profession in terms of lack of adhesion and potential toxicity concerns, while the low tensile strength of traditional glass ionomer cements make them less suitable for the restoration of primary dentition.

Article