Alkasite: a new alternative to amalgam? - clinical case report

Restorative materials have been constantly evolving over the years with the search for physicochemical characteristics that are similar to tooth structures. Ideally, the main characteristics that are expected of a direct restorative material are its ability to withstand masticatory forces, dimensional stability, marginal sealing, biocompatibility, smoothness, aesthetics, the ability to prevent the recurrence of new caries, as well as not presenting postoperative sensitivity. Glass ionomer cements, silver amalgam and resincompositewere the only alternatives for direct restorations until the recent introduction of a group of polymers known as alkasites (or alkenoids). Marketed as CentionN, this material is intended for direct restorations in posterior teeth, has similar colors to teeth, and promises to be able to release calcium ions (ca2+), fluorine (F-) and hydroxyl (OH-) in the face of an acid challenge. It is a material with a dual cure reaction, of optional association to the use of adhesive systems, which has good performance in laboratory tests, but still has few reported clinical evaluations.