Journal of Dental Research, Vol 76, 537-541, Copyright © 1997 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The high-copper dental amalgam alloys
D. B. Mahler
Oregon Health Sciences, University School of Dentistry, Portland 97201, USA.
For many years, the amalgamation of silver with mercury to produce a
condensable mixture which could be used to restore carious defects in teeth
followed a tortuous path of negative results. However, at the turn of the
century, amalgam alloys having acceptable characteristics for successful
clinical use emerged. From that point on, silver amalgam was widely
accepted as the material of choice for low-cost, easily placed, and durable
restorations. About 60 years later, a major discovery occurred that
resulted in a most significant improvement in the clinical performance of
this material. The key to this improvement was an increase in the Cu
content of the amalgam alloy which previously had been considered to be
inappropriate. This paper describes the history of this discovery, which
produced what has come to be known as high-copper dental amalgam alloys.
