Amalgam Restorative Instruments

Amalgam Carrier

Function

To carry and dispense amalgam for cavity preparation

Characteristics

Single or double ended:

Double ended—One small end, one large end

Single ended—Plunger style

The inside of the hollow tubes is coated with metal or Teflon.

Practice Notes

Amalgam is placed in hollow tubes and then transferred to the cavity preparation.

Amalgam sticks in the carrier if it is not released immediately after the tubes are filled.

Amalgam Carrier is used exclusively on amalgam tray setups.

Amalgam Carrier must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Condenser (Plugger)—Smooth and Serrated

Functions

To pack and condense amalgam into cavity preparation

To pack and condense other restorative materials

To pack and condense temporary filling material

Characteristics

Smooth end small

Smooth end large

Serrated ends

Round, flat, or diamond shaped

Single or double ended

• Double ended—One small end, one large end

Back action condenser available with right-angle working ends—Accommodates difficult areas

Range of sizes available

Practice Note

Smooth and Serrated Condensers are used on amalgam, composite, and temporary filling tray setups.

Smooth and Serrated Condensers must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Interproximal Condenser

Functions

To pack and condense amalgam into interproximal areas of cavity preparation

To pack and condense other restorative materials

Characteristics

Ends shaped to fit mesial or distal areas of cavity preparation

Smooth or serrated ends

Range of sizes available

Practice Note

Interproximal Condenser is used on amalgam, composite, and temporary filling tray setups.

Interproximal Condenser must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Liner Applicator

Function

To place calcium hydroxide or glass ionomer in cavity preparation

Characteristics

Short or long handle

Single or double ended

Practice Notes

Liner Applicator is used on amalgam, composite, crown and bridge, and temporary filling tray setups.

Also referred to as a Dycal instrument

Liner Applicator must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Burnishers—Football, Ball, and Acorn

Functions

To smooth amalgam after condensing

To contour matrix band before placement

To perform initial carving of amalgam

To burnish other restorative material

To burnish temporary filling material

Characteristics

Football Burnisher

Ball Burnisher

Acorn Burnisher

Single or double ended

Practice Note

Football, Ball, and Acorn Burnishers are used on amalgam, composite, and temporary filling tray setups.

Football, Ball, and Acorn Burnishers must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

T-Ball Burnisher

Functions

To smooth amalgam after condensing

To contour matrix band before placement

To begin carving of amalgam

To burnish other restorative materials

To burnish temporary filling material

Characteristic

Single ended

Practice Note

T-Ball Burnisher is used on amalgam, composite, and temporary filling tray setups.

T-Ball Burnisher must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.