It is also a good idea to coat the exposed surfaces of the restoration with resin after carving. Naturally, this presents some practical problems. For instance, it can be difficult to keep the restoration from being contaminated by saliva during the period when the occlusion is being evaluated and adjusted after the rubber dam has been removed. Use of a resin sealer does not, of course, obviate the need for good isolation of the treatment area. In summary, it seems that gallium alloys are potential alternatives to traditional amalgams, but they do exhibit some significant physical property shortcomings and can be challenging to place.
Case selection is extremely important.
Even in this type of situation, the clinician needs to be aware of the alloys' shortcomings and inform the patient of their limitations. As with many choices we make as clinicians in the everyday practice of dentistry, it is important to base the treatment decision on a complete review of the facts as they appear in the literature. The results of well-designed, controlled laboratory and clinical studies are extremely important in helping us make decisions that impact on the well being of our patients.