Characteristics Rationale Principle

Occlusal margin is narrower Amalgam has to be locked into Retention

than the pulpal and gingival the cavity
floor

The isthmus width is ¼ of the For less tissue reduction Resistance for tooth and
intercuspal distance preserving strength of both amalgam
● Premolar: 1.2 - 1.5 mm tooth tissue and amalgam
● Molar: 1.5 - 1.7 mm

The cavity preparation has an Amalgam has to be locked into Retention

inverted truncated dovetail the cavity

The cavity preparation has an Inclusion of questionable Extension for prevention

inverted truncated dovetail grooves

The pulpal floor is made flat To evenly distribute stress Resistance of tooth
within the amalgam preventing
fracture of amalgam and tooth

No bevelling of the occlusal Amalgam has a weak edge Resistance of amalgam

CSM or with a butt joint margin strength

Mesial/Distal wall is made Follow the direction of the rod Resistance of tooth
divergent so as not to create an
unsupported enamel

No undercut of the mesiopulpal Conserve marginal ridge and Resistance of tooth

line angle not to make it unsupported

Internal line angles are defined Reduce the concentration of Resistance

and rounded stress thus preventing fracture
of amalgam

Bucco and linguo proximal wall Increase bulk for the Retention
are slightly convergent restoration at the floor

Axial length is 1.5 mm from the Provide bulk for the amalgam Resistance
gingival wall to the axiopulpal
line angle

Axial length is 1.5 mm from the To place the gingival wall Extension for prevention
gingival wall to the axiopulpal beyond the contact area
line angle
 Axial wall is place 0.2 - 0.5 Pulp protection and give bulk to Resistance
within the DEJ amalgam

Axial wall is parallel to the long Better resistance to biting Resistance

axis of the tooth and it follows force
the proximal contour of the
tooth making the axial wall
slightly curved or convex

Reverse / S curve is created in Give bulk to the amalgam Resistance of amalgam

the proximal buccal wall at 90 preventing fracture
degrees in relation to the
occlusal CSM

Proximal retentive groove Prevents dislodgement Retention

extending from the
bucco-axio-gingival and
linguo-axio-gingival point angle
gradually decreases its depth
extending beyond the
axiopulpal line angle within the
dentin wall

Adequate flare, extending the Ease in matrix band insertion Convenience

proximal and lingual walls
beyond the contact area
creating a space of 0.5mm

Beveled gingival wall (use GMT) To remove unsupported rods on Resistance of tooth
enamel preventing fracture

Axiopulpal line angle is beveled Increases the amalgam bulk Resistance of amalgam
or rounded to distribute the thus preventing fracture
stress within the amalgam

Gingival wall is placed above the To remove gingival wall contact Extension for prevention
crest of the gingiva with the adjacent tooth and to
place gingival margins into self
cleansing area

CONVENIENCE
- Adequate flare, 0.5 mm clearance
RESISTANCE FOR TOOTH AND AMALGAM
- Isthmus width is ¼ the intercuspal distance

EXTENSION FOR PREVENTION

- Dovetail
- Axial length is 1.5 mm for the gingival floor to the APLA
- Gingival wall above the crest of gingiva

RESISTANCE OF AMALGAM
- No bevel on CMS
- Reverse/S curve
- APLA is beveled or rounded

RETENTION
- Occlusal margin is narrower than pulpal and gingival floor
- Dovetail
- Bucco-lingual Convergence
- Retentive groove

RESISTANCE OF TOOTH
- Flat pulpal floor
- Mesio-distal divergence
- No undercut on mesiopulpal line angle
- Beveled gingival wall

RESISTANCE
- Internal line angles are defined & rounded
- Axial length is 1.5 mm from the gingival floor to the APLA
- Axial wall is place 0.2 - 0.5 within the DEJ
- Axial wall is parallel to the long axis of the tooth