Amalgam Procedure
TEAM APPROACH
OPERATOR
Place anesthesia
Examine the treatment site
Open the preparation
Examine site with explorer
Create outline resistance form
Receive and use hand cutting instruments to
place bevels and remove unsupported tooth
structure
Remove caries
Check preparation for complete caries removal
with explorer
Place retentive grooves
Place cavity medication
Use explorer to remove excess cement
Place matrix retainer and band
Place wedge interproximally
Evaluate placement of retainer, band, and
wedge
ASSISTANT
Select and prepare all armamentaria
Prepare the treatment room and escort the
patient in to be seated
Assist in administration of anesthesia and
placement of isolation
Pass mirror and explorer
Exchange instrument for opening bur in highspeed handpiece
Place HVE and a/w syringe to maintain clear
field of operation
Prepare explorer to pass
Exchange explorer for handpiece
Insert outline and resistance form bur in
handpiece and exchange handpiece for
explorer
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange hand cutting instruments for
handpiece
Exchange slow-speed handpiece with caries
removal bur for hand cutting instruments
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange explorer for handpiece
Exchange retentive bur in handpiece for
explorer
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange explorer for handpiece
Prepare cavity medication and exchange
placement instrument for explorer
Keep 2x2 gauze and medication in transfer
zone for operator access
Exchange instrument for explorer
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange prepared matrix retainer and band
for explorer
Pass cotton pliers and wedge
Exchange explorer for cotton pliers
Mix amalgam and receive explorer
Fill amalgam carrier and pass
Place amalgam preparation
Initially carve restoration removing gross
amounts of excess
Remove
Remove
Remove
Remove
excess from marginal ridge area
wedge
retainer
band
Carve smooth surface
Check smooth surfaces with explorer
Refine anatomical carving
Burnish the restored surfaces
Remove flash
Remove isolation
Check articulation
Remove excess with carver
Check articulation
Carve or burnish as necessary
Exchange carrier for condenser and fill carrier The exchange of the amalgam carrier and
condenser continues until the preparation is
overfilled with the HVE in the area to remove
excess pieces of amalgam
Exchange anatomical carver for condenser
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange carver for explorer
Exchange explorer for cotton pliers
Receive wedge
Receive retainer
Exchange smooth surface carver for band and
cotton pliers
Exchange carver for explorer
Prepare anatomical carver & exchange explorer
for anatomical carver
Maintain clear field of operation
Exchange explorer for burnisher
Exchange the burnisher for explorer
Remove flash with HVE
Assist in removal of isolation
Exchange articulating paper and paper holder
for explorer
Exchange holder for carver
Exchange carver for articulating paper
Receive instruments
Remove debris, and provide full mouth rinse
Provide postoperative instructions, and dismiss
patient
Record treatment on the patient’s chart
Follow OSHA guidelines for cleanup