Summarized note on polishing of Amalgam Restoration

1. Polishing of amalgam restoration
IDOWU J.T
Dental student college of medicine,
University of Lagos
jitidowu@gmail.com

2. • Amalgam is an alloy of mercury with other metals
• Dental amalgam alloy is a mixture of mercury
with other metals typically with 60% Silver, 27%
Tin, 13% Copper,0-2% Zinc.
• Polishing involves production of a shiny mirror
like surface
• It is a process in which the polihing material fills
fine scratches and produces a perfectly smooth
surface

3. Objectives of finishing and polishing
• To ensure the tongue is not injured by any rough
or sharp end of a restoration.
• To ensure restorations are non irritating to the
oral cavity
• To maintain proper occlusion as any excess
material on oclusal surfaces will impair oclusion
• To prevent accumulation of food debris, saliva,
plaque and calculus
• For good oral hygine

4. Process of polishing
• Polishing Is done after finishing which involves which
involves contouring and removal of marginal
discrepancies , defining the anatomy and smoothening
the amalgam surface
• .Polishing involves the use of mild abrasives for
smoothening and shinning the amalgam surface
• It Is important to use abrasives for polishing in order of
coarseness as the least coarse materials are used last
• Apply abrasives with minimal speed and pressure as it
is directly proportional to heat and consequently
friction

5. Amalgam Restorations may be polished using
rubber cups impregnated with abrasive partices
or aluminium oxide discs used with a coolant to
minimize heat

6. CONCUSION
• Polishing is important in aesthetics and in
preventing tarnishing and corrosion