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- Title
Awareness of amalgam versus composite as a posterior restorative material - A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey analysis among patients.
- Authors
Hemani, K.; Dhanraj, M.; Mallikarjuna, Arunasree Vadaguru
- Abstract
Introduction: Dental amalgam, a time tested posterior restorative, is gradually being replaced by the more esthetic composite restorations. The main advantages of amalgam are its strength, longevity, and cost. The composite resins are more esthetic and conservative on tooth material and chairside time. The decline of amalgam restoration today is due to its unesthetic metallic, appearance, and the public perception of mercury toxicity. The demerits of resin-based composite resins are polymerization shrinkage, cost, post-operative sensitivity, secondary caries, and more recently estrogenicity which the general public is not aware of. With the practice of patients' requesting an esthetic restoration for their posterior teeth becoming more prevalent in today society, practitioners still feel that they should be discrete in decision-making considering the clinical situation of the tooth to be restored in the best interest of the patient and dentistry. Materials and Methods: The present study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate (1) the knowledge and preference among patients about the use of amalgam and composites as restorative materials for posterior teeth, (2) the attitude of the patients in favoring a particular restoration for themselves following a briefing about the two materials given by their dentist, and (3) to analyze the perception of the importance of decision-making about the materials used for restorations, in the chosen population. A descriptive study was conducted in a sample of 100 patients, who reported to Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, using a self-administered questionnaire where 68% preferred tooth-colored restorations. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze the data. Their knowledge of the restoration was noted. Results: 48% knew only about silver amalgam, 22% had no idea about the materials used as restorations, and 30% were aware of both composite and amalgam as restorative materials. After a detailed audiovisual appraisal about composites and amalgam, their attitude and perception were analyzed. The attitude was analyzed with reference to their priority. Their attitude was very positive, wherein 30% chose composite, 22% amalgam, and 48 % chose to leave the decision with the dentist. The perception was based on, whether they would still make a choice of the material or leave the decision to the dentist. 38% continued to decide the material to be used, whereas 62% felt that the dentist should decide in the best interest of their patients. Conclusion: The study revealed that the participants did perceive that clinicians today are conscious of esthetics for their patients and would recommend esthetic restorations, wherever possible, and that clinically compromised situations should be weighed more, in the selection of the suitable restoration for posteriors.
- Subjects
DENTAL materials; DENTAL amalgams; MERCURY poisoning; PUBLIC opinion; COMPOSITE materials; PATIENTS' attitudes
- Publication
Drug Invention Today, 2019, Vol 11, Issue 3, p706
- ISSN
0975-7619
- Publication type
Article