Amalgam is an “excellent, versatile restorer” and is used in dentistry for several reasons. It is easy to use and manipulate when introduced and is relatively cheap and easy to use. Stays soft for a short time. So it can be easily molded to fill any irregular size and then form a solid composition. Amalgam has a longer life than other restorative materials such as composites.
Amalgam is still the material of choice for posterior tooth restorations. Because it has higher strength and durability than tooth-colored materials. Amalgam needs pressure or it will break. Its attachment to the tooth is more mechanical, but bonding systems also reinforce this connection. It takes longer to harden. Also, aesthetic issues and patient preferences limit its use. Another disadvantage of amalgam is that it conducts like a metal alloy, which leads to sensitivity to cold or heat, but this sensitivity decreases over time.
