David B. Mahler, Ph.D.

Name:	David B. Mahler, PhD
Title:	Professor (Emeritus)
Office:	Rm 8
Phone:	(503) 494-8978
Email:	mahlerd@ohsu.edu

 

 

 

 

Education

Undergraduate:	University of Michigan, BS in Aero Engineering, BS in Mathematics, MS in Aeronautical Engineering
Postgraduate Training:	Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan, PhD in Dental Materials and Engineering Mechanics

Areas of Interest

Dental Amalgam
Clinical Studies
Metal Casting

Previous Positions

Department Chairman, Biomaterials & Biomechanics (1956 - 1989)
Research Associate (1949 - 1956), The University of Michigan

Education

Ph.D. (1956), M.S. (1948), B.S. (1944), The University of Michigan

Research Interests

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY STUDIES ON DENTAL AMALGAM

Over the past 30 years, we have conducted both laboratory and clinical research on dental amalgam. Our primary purpose has been to develop new amalgam systems that will demonstrate improved clinical performance and increased longevity.

The research approach has been to characterize the performance of amalgam in the clinical environment, to determine its properties and metallurgical structure in the laboratory, and to test for relationships between these clinical and laboratory findings. By developing laboratory tests that are predictive of clinical performance, new formulations can be designed and screened by these tests to identify those formulations having the best potential for improved clinical service. Present investigations include an evaluation of adhesives that will bond amalgam restorations to tooth structure. The advantages of such bonding include reduced tooth fracture, less microleakage and reduced fracture of the restoration.

Other laboratory studies being pursued are developing a test environment that simulates the oral environment, designing and fabricating new formulations, and investigating compositional factors that affect mercury loss from amalgam restorations. 

Selected Recent Publications

Mahler, D.B. and Engle, J.H. (2000): Clinical evaluation of amalgam bonding in Class I and II restorations. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 131:43-49.

Mahler, D.B. (1997): The high-copper dental amalgam alloys. J. Dent. Res. 76:537-541.

Mahler, D.B. and Bryant, R.W. (1996): Microleakage of amalgam alloys: An update. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 127:1351-1356.

Mahler, D.B., Adey, J.D. and Fleming, M.A. (1994). Hg emission from dental amalgam as related to the amount of Sn in the Ag-Hg (gamma 1) Phase. J. Dent. Res. 73:1663-1668.