Lecture Outline
Class II amalgam restorations. Class V amalgam restorations. Amalgam mixing & placement.
Cavity preparation for caries that originate in the proximal surfaces of molars & premolars.
Usually interproximal caries starts just below the contact point.
If a groove is not carious, it should not be included in the outline. Faciolingual width is approximately 1 mm except at the intersection of grooves.
The cavity should be extended buccally & lingually to break the contact with the adjacent tooth.
Resistance Form
Buccal & lingual walls of the occlusal part should be parallel or slightly convergent occlusally. Well defined internal line angles.
Resistance Form
1.5-2.0 mm
Resistance Form
Resistance Form
The axial wall should be just inside the DEJ, about 1.25 mm in depth. The buccolingual contour of the axial wall should be parallel to the proximal surface of the tooth.
Resistance Form
Retention Form
Occlusal. Proximal: Retention grooves. Inside the DEJ along the buccoaxial & linguoaxial line angles. The groove extend from the gingival floor to the pulpal floor.
Retention is made with (small) round bur. Retention grooves aid in retention as well as strengthen the restoration.
Usually determined by the extent of caries. All carious lesion & decalcification that is not hard should be included. Occlusal cavosurface margin should be parallel to the occlusal table & gingival cavosurface parallel to the gingival floor. About 4 mm wide mesiodistally & 2 mm wide occlusogingivally.
Resistance Form
Mesio & distal walls are divergent toward the external tooth surface. The occlusal & gingival walls are parallel. The axial wall is just inside the DEJ, 1.5 mm deep at the occlusal wall, 1.0 mm at gingival.
The axial wall is convex parallel to the external surface of the tooth.
Retention Form:
Retention grooves in dentin of the occlusal & gingival walls near the internal line angles.
The grooves should not be placed in the mesial & distal walls.
Trituration of amalgam includes combining or mixing the mercury with the alloy powder. Electric amalgam mixers (amalgamators). Amalgam pellets & bottled mercury is still in use. Precapsulated amalgam alloy is recommended: - Provide more consistent mix. - Eliminate the possibility of mercury spills.
The duration and speed of trituration of amalgam should be just enough to coat all the alloy particles with mercury.
Over mixing of the amalgam will set prematurely & this will prevent enough condensation & adaptation of the amalgam. Overmixed amalgam is dry & coherent.
Well mixed amalgam is shiny & coherent. Mixed amalgam is placed in the amalgam well. Amalgam should be used directly after mixing.
Condensing is the process of compressing & directing the amalgam in the cavity with the amalgam condenser.
Amalgam carrier is used treo carry the amalgam in increments to the cavity.
The cavity should be overfilled & then carved back in order to eliminate voids & remove excess mercury.
Amalgam should be condensed both vertically & laterally to adapt it to the walls.
Condensation forces:
The force should be 2-5 kg for admixture & conventional amalgam. Result in slight movement of the patients mandible or head. Less condensation is required for spherical alloy. Small condenser should be used initially & in small areas and larger condenser for overfilling of the restoration.
Precarve Burnishing
Carving of Amalgam
Carving should create contours & occlusion that reproduce the missing tooth structure.
The carver should rest on the enamel adjacent to the preparation and be pulled in a direction parallel to the margin of the preparation.
Carving of Amalgam
Amalgam should not be overcarved leaving the groove anatomy deep. If the anatomy is shallow, it may affect occlusal masticatory function or create occlusal interferences. Amalgam restorations should ideally have 75 to 90 degree amalgam margins.
Matrix Band
Ideal Properties of the Matrix Band
Wedge:
Obtain a tight proximal contact. Obtain proper interproximal contour. Prevent gingival overhang.
Many different shapes & sizes of plastic and wooden wedges. Most commonly used is the triangular shape. The wedge is placed in the wider embrasure, usually the lingual.
Can cause concavity in the matrix, and this concavity can transfer to the amalgam.
Postcarve Burnishing
Light rubbing of the carved amalgam with a burnisher to smooth the surface of the restoration.
The amalgam can be wiped with water-damp cotton roll for additional smoothening.
Occlusion should be checked with an articulating paper. Ask the patient to very gently to tap the posterior teeth together. Interferences should be checked first in maximum intercuspation, and then in eccentric movements.
Amalgam Polishing
Reasons for polishing: 1. Improve oral hygiene since smooth surfaces & margins accumulate less plaque. 2. Removal of overhangs that can irritate the gingival tissues. 3. Occlusion & occlusal anatomy can be refined. 4. Corrosion is inhibited, therefore extending the life of the restoration. 5. The esthetic of a polished, light colored restoration is better than tarnished, blackened restoration.
Amalgam Polishing
Should be done at a succeeding appointment, or at least several hours after placement of the restoration. The restoration should be checked first for defects or overhangs. Gross smoothening & refining of occlusal anatomy should be accomplished first with stone or finishing burs.
Amalgam Polishing
Abrasive-impregnated rubber cups & points are used for smoothening & polishing.