During the 1980's it was becoming obvious that my patients were asking for "white fillings and no amalgam please". Unfortunately, the technology was simply not available.

Back in those days, it was impossible to bond white filling material to dentine which is the internal part of the tooth. Inability to bond meant that there would always be a small gap between the composite filling material and the tooth. This would allow bacteria to infuse into the gap to create decay under the filling.

Amalgam did not have this gap between filling and tooth, so, it was a reliable long term filling material.

During the early 90's  dentine bonding agents were being developed so that we could start using white fillings in back teeth. The first few products bonded brilliantly but it created sensitive fillings! It seemed to take forever for science to successfully develop a bonding agent that did not create sensitive fillings.

Early in 1994 I attended a seminar on the Gold Coast with a lecturer from the United States. He had the answer!! His technique was controversial because it was so counter intuitive. I was full of trepidation with the first few fillings that I placed using this method, but, within days, I realised that I had the answer. I could now bond white fillings to dentine without sensitivity. My dentistry had been revolutionised.

In 1995 I threw away all of my amalgam and amalgam instruments. My surgery has been totally amalgam free since that day. I was one of the earliest dentists to go "totally non amalgam". It was the start of a whole new life for me.

The satisfaction of working with white composite instead of silver amalgam is phenomenal. My world suddenly became a much more satisfying place to live in.