Stomatológ 2022, 32(1):6-10 | DOI: 10.69658/sto.2022.002

Amalgam in Slovak dental practices - facts, alternatives, perspectives

Margaréta Tamášová*, Silvia Timková, Jozef Minčík
I. STOMATOLOGICKÁ KLINIKA LEKÁRSKEJ FAKULTY UPJŠ A UNIVERZITNEJ NEMOCNICE L. PASTEURA V KOŠICIACH

Introduction: The study was to point out the frequency of the use of amalgam in Slovak dental practices, as one of the oldest and most controversial filling material, also in relation to the reduction of amalgam use according the regulations of the European Commission. The aim was also point out the most common amalgam alternatives used among Slovak dentists.

Methods: 475 Slovak dentists were as approached with a questionnaire. They were divided into three groups according to age. They answered eight questions with multiple choice. The results were summarized in charts.

Results: 3 % of Slovak dentists use exclusively amalgam filling in distal teeth, 20 % dentists do not use amalgam at all. 65 % of Slovak dentists use composites as an alternative to amalgam in distal teeth. Most frequent reason of amalgam preference among dentists is poor oral hygiene in patients. Glass-ionomer cement was found as the most suitable alternative to amalgam used in deciduous teeth, according 79 % of Slovak dentists.

Keywords: amalgam, mercury toxicity, amalgam perspectives, amalgam alternatives

Published: June 15, 2022  Show citation

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Tamášová M, Timková S, Minčík J. Amalgam in Slovak dental practices - facts, alternatives, perspectives. Stomatológ. 2022;32(1):6-10. doi: 10.69658/sto.2022.002.
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