11893. DROPPING DENTAL AMALGAM: TIME FOR A NEW ERA IN RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY. Through an analysis of the case against amalgam and the case in favor of amalgam's alternatives, this paper demonstrates that amalgam should and will be eliminated from dental practice both because of the health and environmental problems associated with it and because of the existence of superior alternative filling materials which better fit the new paradigm of preventative, "total oral health" dentistry. 18 pages, 59 footnotes, 22 bibliographic sources.