Gallium alloy - a good application prospect in the field of clinical dental restoration

Amalgam has been used as a dental filling material for more than 160 years. The development of recently dispersed amalgam and high-copper amalgam has eliminated the Y-phase caused by edge damage and the addition of eutectic silver. Copper crystals and a higher proportion of copper further improve their corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, but because of their mercury content close to 50%, the contamination of mercury vapor during operation and the proper disposal of excess amalgam have become a problem. Given this, a new type of filler alloy-gallium alloy has been attracting attention as an alternative to amalgam. The melting point of gallium is 29.78C, and the melting point of the liquid alloy is about 10C, which is second only to mercury (-37.78C). Gallium alloys of different compositions such as Ga-Cu-Sn, Ga-Ag-Cu-Su, Ga-Ag have been developed and evaluated for various performances. Gallium alloys have advantages over traditional amalgams in terms of mechanical properties, cure speed, adhesion to enamel, edge closure, and heat resistance.

The good physical and mechanical properties, the biological properties, and the infiltration effect of the gallium alloy and the better edge closure caused by certain curing expansion suggest the feasibility of its clinical application. Gallium alloy was applied to the filling of children's deciduous teeth. It can be seen that there is no significant difference in the surface of each filling. No postoperative allergies have been seen in the observation period within one year.

Gallium alloy has the same performance and operation process of amalgam, and its biggest advantage is that it does not contain mercury, so there is no harm to the operator and patient and the treatment of excess mercury. Therefore, it has a good clinical practice. At the same time, through the continuous improvement of the wetting effect of gallium alloy, low corrosion resistance, pulp stimulation, etc., it is expected to have a good application prospect in the field of clinical dental restoration.

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