DENTAL AMALGAM
DEFINITION
Dental amalgam is a metal like restorative material
composed of a
mixture of silver/tin/copper alloy and mercury.
HISTORY
• Amalgam has been primary restorative material for more than 150
yrs.
• Initially, amalgam restorations were made by dentists filing silver
coins and mixing the filings with mercury.
USES
AS CLASS 1,2,5 RESTORATION.
AS FOUNDATION- IN COMBINATION WITH RETENTIVE PINS TO
RESTORE CROWN.
FOR RETROGRADE ROOT CANAL FILLING.
AS CARIES CONTROL RESTORATION.
Components of dental amalgam
1)Amalgam alloy
2)Mercury
Classification of Dental Amalgam Alloys
1. Conventional (Low
Copper )Alloy:
(a)
a. Lathe-cut Particles.
b. Spherical Particles
(b)
Classification of Dental Amalgam Alloys
2. High copper alloy:
(a)
a. Admix Alloy.
b. Unicompositional alloy.
(b)
Composition of Dental Amalgam:
Silver
Tin
Copper
Zinc
Indium and Palladium
Mercury
FUNCTION OF EACH
CONSTITUENT
SILVER:-
WHITENS ALLOY.
INCREASES STRENGTH.
INCREASES EXPANSION ON SETTING.
TIN:-
REDUCES STRENGH & HARDNESS.
REDUCES RESISTANCE TO TARNISH & CORROSION.
COPPER:-
INCREASES HARDNESS & STRENGTH.
INCRESES SETTING EXPANSION.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT OF
D.AMALGAM
• Mercury free direct filling amalgam alloys
• Gallium based alloys
• Low mercury amalgams
• Indium in mercury
Properties of Dental Amalgam
1. Compressive strength
2. Tensile Strength
3. Elastic Modulus
4. Dimensional Changes
5. Tarnish and Corrosion:
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
1) Selection of alloy.
2) Proportioning and dispensing.
3) Trituration.
4) Condensation.
5) Carving.
6) Finishing and polishing.
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
2) Proportioning and dispensing:
proportioned capsules containing alloy particles and mercury
in compartments separated by a disk or membrane are
available.
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
1) Selection of alloy:
It is estimated that the majority of the dental amalgams
currently placed are high – copper alloys , spherical-
unicopositional or admixed types .
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
3) Trituration:
Trituration is the process by which mercury is
allowed to react with the alloy powder . This
procedure allows the rubbing of the surface oxide
on amalgam particles , exposing an active surface
to react with mercury .
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
3) Trituration:
- Hand Trituration
-Mechanical Trituration
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
•Effect f over-trituration and under-
trituration:
• Working time decreases with over- trituration.
• Setting contraction increases with over- trituration.
• Compressive and tensile strengths increase with over-trituration of lath cut
alloys;however they decrease with over- and under-trituration of spherical
alloys.
• Creep increases with over- trituration.
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
4) Condensation:
-Hand Condensation.
-Mechanical Condensation.
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
5) Carving:
Manipulation of Dental Amalgam:
6) Finishing and polishing:
Mercury Toxicity
• As mercury toxic. Free mercury should not be sprayed or
exposed to the otmosphere.
• This hazard can arise during triturations, condensation,
and finishing of the restoration, and also during removal of
old restorations at high speed.
• Mercury vapors can be inhaled, also skin contact should be
avoided as it absorbed.
• Mercury has cumulative effect, Dentist and dental
assistant are at high risk.
INDICATIONS
(1) Moderate to Large Class I & Class II Restorations
(2) Class V Restorations
(3) Temporary Caries Control Restorations
(4) Foundations
CONTRAINDICATIONS
(1)Esthetics
(2)Extensive tooth destruction
(3)Small Class I & II Cavities
Advantages of amalgam
• Reasonably easy to insert
• Not overly technique sensitive
• Maintain anatomic form well
• Has adequate resistance to fracture
• After a period of time prevents marginal leakage
• Have reasonably long service life
• Cheaper than other alternative posterior restorative material like a
cast gold alloy
Disadvantages of amalgam
• The color doesn’t much tooth structure
• They are more brittle and can fracture if incorrectly placed
• They are subject to corrosion and galvanic action
• They evantually show marginal breakdown
• They do not bond to tooth structure
• Risk of mercury toxicity
FAILURES OF
AMALGAM
RESTORATIONS
Signs of failures :
1. Proximal Overhangs
2. Poor anatomic contours
3. Marginal Ridge incompatibility
4. Improper Proximal Contacts
5. Recurrent Caries
6. Poor occlusal Contacts
7. Amalgam Blues
Reasons For Failures:
1. Improper Case Selection
2. Improper Cavity Preparation
3. Faulty Selection & manipulation of Amalgam
4. Errors in Maricing Procedures
5. Post Operative Factors
Clinical problems of
amalgam
AMALGAM TATOO
“ Accidental implantation of silver
containing compounds into oral mucosal tissue”
• Occur:
1. Removal of old amalgam
2. Broken Pieces-socket-tooth extraction
3. Particles entering surgical wound
4. Amalgam dust in oral fluids- abrasion areas
• Seen as – Grayish black pigmentation
• Com. Sites- Gingiva, buccal mucosa, alveolar
mucosa
