Accuracy of mercury-alloy proportioning systems.
To measure the reproducible accuracy of some commercially available mercury/alloy proportioning systems, a study was made of several mercury dispensers, alloy pellets, and disposable capsules. This study included a consideration of some human variables that were introduced in manipulating the systems. Most of the systems that were tested provided acceptable accuracy when used correctly.
Factors influencing the marginal adaptation of amalgam.
Results of this study indicated that under controlled technics the best adaptations were obtained by using small increments of 50 to 52 percent mercury amalgam mix without expressing mercury, and by use of lateral condensing thrusts.
Restorations of silver amalgam.
Preservation of a healthy set of natural teeth for each patient should be the ob­ jective of every dentist. All work in the health field is aimed basically at conser­ vation of the human body and its func­ tions. The opthalmologist does not revel in the number of sockets he can prepare for plastic and glass substitutes for eyes. The surgeon is so conservative that loss of even a small part of a finger or toe, notwithstanding the fact that the patient will still have nine more, is considered a tragedy. Likewise, loss of even a part of a human tooth should be regarded as a serious injury, never to be considered lightly, and the tooth is certainly worthy of the most careful restoration. There­ fore, in the tradition of all health care, dentistry offers its highest service in the combination of routine preventive and restorative care. Until complete control of caries by preventive measures is ac­ complished, restorative dentistry must continue as a most important part of dental practice. Silver amalgam has saved and con­ tinues to save more teeth than all other materials combined. Carefully handled, silver amalgam restorations will give more service for the time and effort expended than any other. No apology need be made to any patient for their use. There are not enough dentists to serve the public with any durable ma­ terial, amalgam not excepted. However, more amalgam restorations can be made in a given length of time. Practical sug­ gestions for making good silver amalgam restorations follow.