Procedure For Amalgam Restoration
Write a short note on the alloy mercury ratio.
Answer:
- In earlier days, when amalgam was triturated manually, excess mercury had to be used in order to achieve smooth and plastic amalgam. This excess mercury was removed from an amalgam by:
- Use a squeeze cloth to squeeze out the excess mercury.
- Increasing dryness technique: During condensation of each increment, a mercury-rich soft layer comes to the surface. This is removed by condensing excess amalgam and carving of the excess.
“Understanding amalgam restoration through FAQs: Steps, alloy-to-mercury ratio, and uses explained”
- Eames’ technique or minimal mercury technique: The best method of reducing mercury content is to reduce the original mercury/alloy ratio. In 1959,

“Importance of studying the alloy-to-mercury ratio for dental professionals: Questions explained”
Restorative Composites
Dr Wilmer Eames recommended a 1:1 ratio of mercury: alloy.
- This method decreases the mercury content to 43% for high-copper as well as single compositional alloys and 55% for lathe-cut low-copper alloys. The excellence of clinical restoration placed by this technique depends on proper manipulation including proportioning of mercury and alloy, trituration, and condensation.
“Common challenges in mastering the amalgam restoration process effectively: FAQs provided”
- In the finished amalgam restoration, the mercury content should be approximately 50%, but for spherical alloys, it is relatively less, i.e. 42%. In preproportioned capsules, the mercury/alloy ratio is determined by the manufacturer and is usually less than 50%.
- Low mercury/alloy ratios are not easy to triturate manually. In order to benefit from a low mercury/alloy ratio a high-speed mechanical triturator (amalgamator) is absolutely essential.
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