Characteristics Rationale Principle
Occlusal margin is narrower Amalgam has to be locked into Retention
than the pulpal and gingival the cavity
floor
The isthmus width is ¼ of the For less tissue reduction Resistance for tooth and
intercuspal distance preserving strength of both amalgam
● Premolar: 1.2 - 1.5 mm tooth tissue and amalgam
● Molar: 1.5 - 1.7 mm
The cavity preparation has an Amalgam has to be locked into Retention
inverted truncated dovetail the cavity
The cavity preparation has an Inclusion of questionable Extension for prevention
inverted truncated dovetail grooves
The pulpal floor is made flat To evenly distribute stress Resistance of tooth
within the amalgam preventing
fracture of amalgam and tooth
No bevelling of the occlusal Amalgam has a weak edge Resistance of amalgam
CSM or with a butt joint margin strength
Mesial/Distal wall is made Follow the direction of the rod Resistance of tooth
divergent so as not to create an
unsupported enamel
No undercut of the mesiopulpal Conserve marginal ridge and Resistance of tooth
line angle not to make it unsupported
Internal line angles are defined Reduce the concentration of Resistance
and rounded stress thus preventing fracture
of amalgam
Bucco and linguo proximal wall Increase bulk for the Retention
are slightly convergent restoration at the floor
Axial length is 1.5 mm from the Provide bulk for the amalgam Resistance
gingival wall to the axiopulpal
line angle
Axial length is 1.5 mm from the To place the gingival wall Extension for prevention
gingival wall to the axiopulpal beyond the contact area
line angle
Axial wall is place 0.2 - 0.5 Pulp protection and give bulk to Resistance
within the DEJ amalgam
Axial wall is parallel to the long Better resistance to biting Resistance
axis of the tooth and it follows force
the proximal contour of the
tooth making the axial wall
slightly curved or convex
Reverse / S curve is created in Give bulk to the amalgam Resistance of amalgam
the proximal buccal wall at 90 preventing fracture
degrees in relation to the
occlusal CSM
Proximal retentive groove Prevents dislodgement Retention
extending from the
bucco-axio-gingival and
linguo-axio-gingival point angle
gradually decreases its depth
extending beyond the
axiopulpal line angle within the
dentin wall
Adequate flare, extending the Ease in matrix band insertion Convenience
proximal and lingual walls
beyond the contact area
creating a space of 0.5mm
Beveled gingival wall (use GMT) To remove unsupported rods on Resistance of tooth
enamel preventing fracture
Axiopulpal line angle is beveled Increases the amalgam bulk Resistance of amalgam
or rounded to distribute the thus preventing fracture
stress within the amalgam
Gingival wall is placed above the To remove gingival wall contact Extension for prevention
crest of the gingiva with the adjacent tooth and to
place gingival margins into self
cleansing area
CONVENIENCE
- Adequate flare, 0.5 mm clearance
RESISTANCE FOR TOOTH AND AMALGAM
- Isthmus width is ¼ the intercuspal distance
EXTENSION FOR PREVENTION
- Dovetail
- Axial length is 1.5 mm for the gingival floor to the APLA
- Gingival wall above the crest of gingiva
RESISTANCE OF AMALGAM
- No bevel on CMS
- Reverse/S curve
- APLA is beveled or rounded
RETENTION
- Occlusal margin is narrower than pulpal and gingival floor
- Dovetail
- Bucco-lingual Convergence
- Retentive groove
RESISTANCE OF TOOTH
- Flat pulpal floor
- Mesio-distal divergence
- No undercut on mesiopulpal line angle
- Beveled gingival wall
RESISTANCE
- Internal line angles are defined & rounded
- Axial length is 1.5 mm from the gingival floor to the APLA
- Axial wall is place 0.2 - 0.5 within the DEJ
- Axial wall is parallel to the long axis of the tooth
