Condensation

Function of Condensation (3)

Adapts the amalgam to the preparation walls and matrix
Produce a restoration free of voids
Lowers the mercury content in the restoration to increase strength and decrease corrosion

HOW CAN YOU ASCERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE CONDENSED THE AMALGAM PROPERLY?

An “ick-ick” sound should NOT be heard, if this sound is heard, there is the presence of VOIDS in the mass

AMALGAM IS ADAPTED TO THE FOLLOWING WALLS:

Mesial
Distal
Buccal
Axial
Pulpal

In a CLASS II Restoration, amalgam should be ______ (??)

adapted to the MATRIX BAND

WHY IS AMALGAM INSERTED IN INCREMENTS?

To facilitate proper condensation

WHY IS A PLUGGER WITH A SMALLER NIB USED INITIALLY?

So that all the FORCE is concentrated over a SMALLER SURFACE AREA, therefore less effort is exerted

Procedure in Condensation (FCUDI CCW

Fill the amalgam carrier the amount of amalgam that will fill the preparation by 1mm
Carry the amalgam to the prepared cavity using amalgam carrier
Use the condenser in a pulpal or gingival direction
Do lateral condensation
In the proximal box, condense mesially (distally) to ensure proximal contact with the adjacent tooth
Continue the procedure of adding and condensing the amalgam until halfway the preparation depth
Change into a larger condenser until preparation is entirely filled up
When occlusal margins are approached, exercise care not to injure the enamel margin
The occlusal margins should covered and overpacked at least 1mm
Condensation should be completed within the working time

Plugging is done in what following direction? GBLAM

Gingival
Buccal
Lingual
Axial
Matrix

WHY IS AMALGAM CONDENSED IN THE PROXIMAL BOX BEFORE THE OCCLUSAL SURFACE?

If amalgam is condensed on the occlusal surface first, there is a tendency to not see the proximal box, leading to VOIDS

WHEN APPROACHING THE CAVOSURFACE MARGIN, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

You should CONTROL the amount of FORCE exerted, as you may break the cavosurface margin

WHEN INSERTING AMALGAM INTO A LARGE PREPARATION… WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Make a NEW MIXTURE (before the old mixture reaches its SETTING TIME)

TO ALLOW PROPER CONDENSATION…THE MIXTURE SHOULD BE?

The mixture should be NEITHER WET (soft) OR DRY (powdery) → IDEAL RATIO is 1 : 1

WHAT IS THE WORKING TIME OF AMALGAM?

3-5MINS?

SETTING TIME OF AMALGAM

Initial setting time: 5-10 mins?
Final setting time: 24 hours

WHY IS THE OCCLUSAL MARGIN OVERPACKED?

To ensure well-condensed marginal amalgam that is NOT MERCURY-RICH