GOOD MORNING
AMALGAM
RESTORATIONS
Amalgam:
Dental amalgam is a metal-like
restorative material composed
of a mixture of silver/tin/copper
alloy and mercury.
The unset mixture is pressed
(condensed) into a specifically
prepared undercut tooth form
and contoured to restore the
tooth’s form and function.
Types of Amalgam Restorative Materials:
Acc to copper content
– Low copper <6%
– High copper >6%
Acc to shape of produced particles
– Spherical (Smooth-surfaced)
– Lathe-cut (Irregular shaped)
– Admixed
Acc to zinc content
– Zinc containing >0.01%
– Zinc free <0.01%
Acc to particle size
– Microcut
– Fine cut
– Coarse cut
Composition of amalgam
Low copper composition:
Silver : 63-70%
Tin : 26-28%
Copper : 2- 5%
Zinc : 0-2%
Indium/Palladium
Ag3Sn + Hg Ag3Sn + Ag2Hg3 + Sn8Hg
Gamma Gamma 1 gamma2
High copper amalgam alloy (copperEnriched alloys):
Coppercontent: 5- 12%
Copper enriched alloys are of two types:
1) Admixed alloy powder.
Initial
final
2) Single composition alloy powder.
Amalgam Manipulation :
1. Alloy selection
2. Powder and liquid Proportioning
3. Trituration and mix characteristics
4. Condensation and finishing
Proportioning powder &
Liquid :
EAME’S TECHNIQUE OR
MINIMAL MERCURY
TECHNIQUE:
The correct ratio is 1 : 1 by
wt.
TRITURATION:
Process of mixing the
amalgam alloy particles
with mercury
Originally, the alloy
and mercury were
mixed, and was
triturated by hand with
a mortar and pestle
Mechanical
amalgamation saves
time and standardizes
the procedure.
amalgamator
Over-trituration: Alloy will be
hot, hard to remove from the
capsule, shiny wet and soft.
Under-trituration: Alloy will
be dry, dull and crumbly; will
crumble if dropped from
approx 30 cm.
Normal Mix: Shiny
appearance separates in a
single mass from the
capsule.
Squeezing is to minimize the
mercury content of the mix
….Usually done by twisting
the mixed amalgam mass in
a piece of gauze
Mulling is to redistribute
mercury evenly within the
mixed, squeezed mass
….Usually done by rubbing
the amalgam mass in rubber
fingers
Condensation:
Refers to the incremental placement of the
amalgam into the prepared cavity and
compression of each increment into the others.
Amalgam should be condensed into the cavity
within 3 min after trituration.
Aims of condensation:
Adapt amalgam to the margins, walls and line
angles of the cavity.
Minimize voids and layering between
increments within the amalgam.
remove excess mercury to leave an optimal
alloy: mercury ratio.
Burnishing
First Burnish (Pre-carve
Burnish)
• Carried out using a large
burnisher for 15 seconds
• Use light force and move
from the center of the
restoration outwards to
the margins.
Carving :
• should start 2-3 min after
mixing
• should be stopped when
amalgam is felt hard (i.e. 5-
10min after mixing)
• done by the use of sharp
hand carvers.
Final Burnish (Post carve burnishing)
• Following carving, check the occlusion
and carry out a brief final burnish.
• Use a large burnisher at a low load
and burnish outwards towards the
margins
• Improves smoothness
• Heat generation should be avoided
Polishing :
• should be carried out 24h after
amalgam insertion.
• provide better esthetic, and allow
prolonged service with minimal
corrosion.
Can be done using
descending grade abrasive,
eg. Rubber mounted stone or
rubber cups.
A metallic lusture, is always
done with a polishing agent
(precipitated chalk, tin or zinc
oxide).
DELAYED EXPANSION:
• Alloys containing Zn, if contaminated
with moisture during trituration or
condensation, a large expansion occurs.
• This is due to release of H₂ gas within
the restoration creating an internal
pressure of nearly 2,000 psi.
The gas is formed as follows:
Zn + H₂O ZnO + H₂
• Starts after 3-5 days , continue for
months reaching values greater than
400μm.
Creep:
Creep in dental amalgams
refers to the gradual
change in shape of the
restoration from
compression by the
opposing dentition during
chewing or by pressure
from adjacent teeth.
Corrosion :
oxidation from interaction of
two dissimilar metals in the
presence of a solution containing
electrolytes (such as saliva).
It results in breakdown of the
amalgam
Alloy a mixture of two or more metals
Amalgamation reaction that occurs when silver-based alloy is
mixed with mercury
Dental Amalgam restorative material composed of silver-based
alloy mixed with mercury
Lathe-Cut Alloy irregularly shaped particles formed by shaving
fine particles from an alloy ingot
Spherical Alloy alloy particles produced as small spheres
Admixed Alloy mixture of lathe-cut and spherical alloys
Gamma-2 Phase a chemical reaction between tin in the silver-
based alloy and mercury that causes corrosion in the amalgam
Tarnish oxidation affecting a thin layer of a metal at its surface.
Not as destructive as corrosion
Corrosion oxidation from interaction of two dissimilar metals in
the presence of a solution containing electrolytes (such as
saliva). It results in breakdown of the amalgam
Creep gradual change in the shape of a restoration caused by
compression from occlusion or adjacent teeth
Triturator (Amalgamator) mechanical device used to mix the
silver-based alloy particles with mercury to produce amalgam.
THANK YOU
