Effects of Amalgam.

(1) The combined effects of the properties of its ingredients should provide the most satisfactory restorative material.

(2) Quantity of mercury. Too little mercury in the mix results in a grainy, weak, readily tarnished, and corroded amalgam. Too much mercury will cause excessive expansion and weakened amalgam.

 (3) Composition of the alloy. Composition of the alloy must include a minimum of 65 percent silver, a maximum of 29 percent tin, a maximum of 6 to 13 percent copper, and a maximum of two percent zinc by weight

 (4) Correct proportion important. Before use, the silver alloy is mixed with pure and uncontaminated mercury. There are some alloys that are completely zinc free. They can therefore be used more successfully in a moisture-contaminated environment.

 (5) Properties of the finished product.

Silver imparts strength, durability, and color, gives the alloy desirable setting expansion, decreases flow, and accelerates (decreases) the setting time.

Tin makes the amalgam easier to work, controls excessive setting expansion, and increases both flow and setting time.

Copper increases hardness, contributes to setting expansion, reduces flow, and decreases setting time.

Zinc increases workability, and unites with oxygen and other "impurities" to produce a clean amalgam.

Dental Solders

Applications-bridges and orthodontic appliances

Terms

Soldering -joining operation using filler metal that melts below 500° C

Brazing -joining operation using filler metal that melts above 500°C

Welding-melting and alloying of pieces to be joined

Fluxing
 -Oxidative cleaning of area to be soldered
 - Oxygen scavenging to prevent oxidation of alloy being soldered
16- 650 -- 650 fineness solder to be used with 16-karat alloys; fineness refers to the gold content

Classification

a. Gold solders-bridges
b. Silver solders-gold-substitute bridges and orthodontic alloys

Structure of gold solders

Composition-lower gold content than of alloys being soldered

Manipulation-solder must melt below melting temperature of alloy

Properties

1. Physical-similar to alloys being joined
2. Chemical-more prone to chemical and electrochemical corrosion
3. Mechanical-similar to alloy  being joined
4. Biologic-similar to alloys being joined
 

INVESTING
Mixing investment with distilled water is done according to the manufacturers ratio in a clean dry bowl without entrapment of the air into the mix.

Mixing methods:
a.    Hand mixing and the use of the vibrator to remove air bubbles.
b.    Vacuum mixing- This is the better method because it removes air bubbles as well as gases that are produced and thus produces a smoother mix.

Methods of investing:
a.    Hand investing
b.    Vacuum investing

Hand investing:

First the mixed investment is applied on all the surfaces of the pattern with a soft brush. Blow off any excess investment gently, thus leaving a thin film of investment over the pattern, then apply again.
Then the coated pattern can be invested by two methods;
1. Placing the pattern in the ring first and then filling the ring full with investment.
2. Filling the ring with the investment first and then force the pattern through into it.

Vacuum investing :

Vacuum investing unit: This consists of the chamber of small cubic capacity from which air can be evacuated quickly and in which casting ring can be placed.
Evacuation of air can be done by electrically or water driven vacuum pump.

Procedure:

The ring filled with investment is placed in the vacuum chamber. Air entry tube is closed. Then the vacuum is applied. The investment will rise with froth vigorously for about 10-15 sec and then settles back. This indicates that air has been extracted from the ring. The pressure is now restored to atmospheric by opening the air entry tap gradually at first and then more rapidly as the investment settles back around the pattern. Then the ring is removed from the chamber and the investment is allowed to set. Modern investing unit does both mixing and investing under vacuum and is considered better than hand mixing and pouring.
Then there are two alternatives to be followed depending upon what type of expansion is to be achieved in order to compensate for metal shrinkage. They are:

1. If hygroscopic expansion of the investment is to be achieved then immediately immerse the filled ring in water at the temperature of 37C.
Or “under controlled water adding technique”. A soft flexible rubber ring is used instead of usual lined metal ring. Pattern is invested as usual. Then specified amount of water is added on top of the investment in the rubber ring and the investment is allowed to set at room temperature. In this way only enough water is added to the investment to provide the desired expansion.

2. If thermal expansion of the investment is to be achieved, then investment is allowed to set by placing the ring on the bench for 1 hour or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Denture Teeth

Use-complete or partial dentures

Type

a. Porcelain teeth
b. Acrylic resin teeth
c. Abrasion-resistant teeth (microfilled composite)

Structure and properties

1. Porcelain teeth (high-fusing porcelain)
Only bonded into denture base mechanically. Harder than natural teeth or other restorations and abrades those surfaces. Good aesthetics.Used when patients have good ridge support and sufficient room between the arches

2. Acrylic resin teeth (PMMA  [polymethyl methacrylate])

Bonded pseudochemically into the denture base. Soft and easily worn by abrasive foods . Good initial aesthetics
Used with patients with poor ridges and in cases where they oppose natural teeth

3. Abrasion-resistant teeth (microfilled resins)
Bonded pseudochemically into the denture base.Better abrasion resistance then  acrylic resin teeth
 

POLISHING MATERIALS

1 Tin Oxide. Tin oxide is used in polishing teeth and metal restorations. Tin oxide is a fine, white powder that is made into a paste by adding water or glycerin.

2. Pumice. Pumice is used as an abrasive and polishing agent for acrylic resins, amalgams, and gold. It consists mainly of complex silicates of aluminum, potassium, and sodium. Two grades--flour of pumice and coarse pumice--are listed in the Federal Supply Catalog.

3. Chalk (Whiting). Chalk is used for polishing acrylic resins and metals. It is composed primarily of calcium carbonate.

4.Tripoli. Tripoli is usually used for polishing gold and other metals. It is made from certain porous rocks.

5. Rouge (Jeweler's). Rouge is used for polishing gold and is composed of iron oxide. It is usually in cake or stick form.

6. Zirconium Silicate. Zirconium silicate is used for cleaning and polishing teeth. It may be mixed with water or with fluoride solution for caries prevention treatment. For full effectiveness, instructions must be followed exactly to obtain the proper proportions of powder to liquid.

COMPOSITE RESINS

Reaction

• Free radical polymerization

Monomers + initiator. + accelerators-+ polymer molecules

• Initiators-start polymerization by decomposing and reacting with monomer
• Accelerators-speed up initiator decomposition

• Amines used  for accelerating self –curing  systems
•  Light  used for accelerating light-curing systems

Retarders or inhibitors-prevent premature polymerization