Amalgam restorations: indications, technique
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics · Dental (BDS)
Study notes
Why is amalgam condensed in increments rather than placed as one bulk? Condensation (packing with hand instruments) adapts the soft amalgam to the cavity walls and squeezes excess mercury to the surface, where it is carved away. Incremental placement ensures each layer is densely packed without voids — voids become weak spots that fracture under chewing. Students practice condensation pressure because adaptation quality decides the filling's lifespan.
Related topics
- Dental caries: diagnosis, caries risk assessment, minimal intervention
- Cavity preparation: principles, Black's classification
- Composite restorations: anterior and posterior, layering
- Glass ionomer and compomer restorations
- Pulp biology: diagnosis of pulp and periapical diseases
- Endodontic diagnosis: pulp vitality tests, radiographic assessment