Because amalgam fillings can withstand a lot of chewing, they are useful especially for restoring molars in the back of the mouth, where the chewing load is greatest. They also are good in areas that are hard to keep dry, such as in deep fillings below the gum line. Amalgam fillings, like other filling materials, are considered biocompatible, which means that patients don't have a lot of problems with them and allergic reactions are very rare.

Reviewed: January 2012