Importance of changing amalgams

Long time ago we decided not to use amalgams for different reasons.


· Toxic for patients ( dissolved in the saliva) and by inhalation.
· Toxic for professionals that handled it ( dentists and assistants)
· Little working time ( gets hard in few minutes).
· Dark antiaesthetic color.
· Difficult handling.
· Incorporation of metal in the mouth which interfere with the organism energetic flow.
· Poor anatomical results, very difficult to give natural form.

Now we all receive information in relation to the toxicity of heavy metals such as Mercury.
In June 2010, in the Council of Spanish College of Chemical , in Madrid, the catalanian chemical Peré Vicardi Vives gave a lecture on the danger of mercury in dental amalgams.


The Councelor of environment of Catalania has informed the obligation to put filters of mercury in all crematories. The first one has been placed in the Montjuic crematory. The incinerations of corpses that have amalgams represents a very important risk for the health and the environment.

The Catalanian Councelor of Environment has banned the purchase of mercury amalgams in all health centers and public hospitals, and there is a recommendation not to put amalgams to pregnant women and children under 14. This prohibition is not applicable to private clinics but it is a very important step because the Catalanian public health is protecting children under 14 and people that they might require maxillofacial treatments in public health centers.

If the patient has an old amalgam filling, but still technically correct with out cavities, sensitivity, filtrations, or fractures, we will evaluate the risk of changing the amalgam for the ceramic filling and the risk of having postoperatory sensitivity.

On December 1 of 1992, in the Spanish Dental Association, Dr. Jorge Vanni Navarro , presented  The Stratified Progressive Technique In Composite based on the progressive waxed technique use by dental laboratories to give natural form to the crowns. With this technique we can achieve results as we show in some of our clinical cases.