clinical amalgam

Question 1

when might amalgam not be suitable for a patient?

Answer 1

. aesthetic is paramount
. sensitivity to mercury or other component
. loss of tooth substance is such a retentive cavity cannot be produced
. excessive removal of sound tooth would be required to create a retentive cavity

Question 2

list some advantages of amalgam

Answer 2

. durable
. good long term clinical performance
. long lasting if placed under ideal conditions
. shorter placement time then composite 
. radiopaque
. economical

Question 3

list some disadvantages of amalgam?

Answer 3

. poor aesthetic
. doesn’t bond to tooth
. high thermal diffusity
. cavity prep may require destruction sound tooth

Question 4

name some unwanted responses patients may take to amalgam

Answer 4

. lichenoid lesion (allergy)
. galvanic response (battery response from 2 amalgams)
. tooth discolouration
. amalgam tattoo

Question 5

name 2 cavity designs for amalgam to treat interpoximal caries

Answer 5

. self retentive box prep

. proximo-occlusal prep

Question 6

what are the advantages of a self-retentive box prep?

Answer 6

. less tooth removed than proximo-occlusal
. less amalgam
. sound tooth retained between box and occlusal cavity

Question 7

what are the disadvantages of a self-retentive box prep?

Answer 7

. more technically demanding than proximo-occlusal

. pit and fissure caries may also need treated

Question 8

what are the advantages of proximo-occlusal prep?

Answer 8

.very retentive

. also treats pit and fissure caries

Question 9

what are the disadvantages of proximo-occlusal prep?

Answer 9

. destruction of sound tooth tissue for retention

. increased risk of tooth weakening

Question 10

how may u add additional retention to an amalgam restoration?

Answer 10

. mechanical - grooves, pins

. adhesive technology - bonding

Question 11

why do u overfill and amalgam cavity?

Answer 11

higher mercury content at surface needs removed

Question 12

corrosion of amalgam is associated with which phase?

Answer 12

gamma 2

Question 13

what is amalgam creep?

Answer 13

slow internal stressing and deformation of amalgam under stress

Question 14

which element is incorporated into amalgam to decrease creep?

Answer 14

copper

Question 15

when is mercury release greatest during an amalgam restoration?

Answer 15

insertion and removal

Question 16

toxic levels of mercury can cause what diseases/conditions?

Answer 16

. kidney dysfuntion
. foetal and birth defects
. neurotoxicity

Question 17

amalgam cannot be used in which groups of people?

Answer 17

. pregnant

. children u15

Question 18

what is blacks cavity class 1?

Answer 18

pit and fissure caries

Question 19

what is blacks cavity class 2?

Answer 19

approximal caries posterior teeth

Question 20

what is blacks cavity class 3?

Answer 20

approximal caries anterior teeth

Question 21

what is blacks cavity class 4?

Answer 21

approximal caries involving incised edge

Question 22

what is blacks cavity class 5?

Answer 22

caries affecting cervical surfaces

Question 23

what is blacks cavity class 6?

Answer 23

caries affecting cusp tips