Amalgam, once the most used restorative material worldwide, is to be completely phased out in the EU by 2025. As the UK is no longer an EU member state, the ban on amalgam does not apply to it, with the potential exception on Northern Ireland.

While not openly stating its intention to cease all use of amalgam, the UK government, and associations such as the BDA, agree that the use of amalgam needs to be ‘phased down’ and other restorative materials considered.

It is unlikely that amalgam will be replaced by just one material any time soon, but several materials. Alternatives that are already used globally in their millions include resin-based composite materials, glass ionomers and glass hybrids.

Whether your preference is for composite or GIC, GC is a brand that specialises in easy-to-use restoratives that can help smooth your amalgam phase-down. Here are three of GC's most acclaimed alternatives: