 Amalgam restorations that replace one or

more cusps
 Cuspal coverage preparations
 Dentin Pins
 Additional retentive features
› Retentive grooves
› Circumferential Slots
› Amalgam inserts
› Peripheral shelves
 Amalgam bonded restorations
 Indicated when:
› extension from primary groove
includes more than half of the cusp
incline (weak cusps)
› Cusp fracture
 Centric holding cusps, (stamp
cusps) = 2.5 mm reduction
 Depth cuts recommended
 Follow the occlusal anatomy in
reduction
Dentin Pins
 Cemented pins
 Friction lock pins-
malleted into
undersized channels
 Threaded pins-
threaded into dentin
channels
 Provide retention & resistance form
 Mechanical interlocking of amalgam
with undercuts in the pin
 Do not strengthen either the tooth or the
restoration (actually weaken both)
 Should be placed in healthy and firm
dentin, never in demineralized dentin
Classic studies by Dilts et al concluded
that:

 Self-threading more retentive than

cemented or friction-locked pins
 Optimum depth in dentin 2.0-3.0 mm
 Pin length in amalgam of 2.0 mm
provides optimum retention
 Limit use to minimum # necessary
 1 pin / missing cusp
 1 pin / missing line angle
 1 pin / missing proximal surface
 Caution: 3 surface preparations (e.g.
MOL, DOL, MOB & DOB have lost line
angle + cusp-- place 1 pin
 Starting point with 1/4 round bur
 Should be started 0.5mm form DEJ
 At least 1mm dentin b/w external surface and channel
 Most common location: at line angles (greater thickness of
dentin in that area)
 Should enter dentin at approx. 90o to prepared dentin
surface
 Inter-pin distance dependent on pin diameter (3-5mm)
 There should be access to condense amalgam around pin
 Channel is smaller in diameter than pin
 Align twist drill with external tooth surface
 Drill hole in one continuous motion
 Keep drill revolving until withdrawn from
dentin
 Avoid pumping or "stop & go"
 Maintain constant angulation
 Best locations: line
angle areas
 Worst locations:
› Above bifurcation
› Above trifurcation
› Where root concavity
is identified (not
expected)
› Where root concavity
is expected
Possibility is:
 Drill is dull
 Drill is in contact with enamel rather than
dentin
 Hand piece running in reverse
 Flutes of drill obstructed by debris
 Manual: Pin wrench
 Hand operated hand piece
 Low speed hand piece
To keep pin well within bulk of amalgam
Pins can be modified as:
– Can be bent
– Can be cut short

• Bending pins
Use fork shaped pin bender or small hemostat
Keep it within bulk of planned restoration
Visualize planned crown preparation in 3-D
• Shortening pins:
Approach perpendicular to pin if possible
Stabilize with cotton pliers or hemostat
 Pins oriented horizontally in vertical walls
of preparation
 Adequate dentin is a must
 Main use: free standing facial cusp of
maxillary premolar in reinforcing the
cusp.
 Placed near occlusal surface away from
pulp
 Channel no deeper than 1mm
 Horizontal Pins - resisting horizontal
displacement
 Vertical Pins - resisting horizontal
displacement
 Perforation during channel preparation
› Pulp: should be filled with Ca(OH)2, new channel
placed
› External surface / Root perforation: filled with
amalgam, G.P with sealer

 Crazing of tooth structure

 Weakening of amalgam over pins
 Voids around pin due to inadequate
condensation
 Stress concentration at end of pin: dentinal
crazing
 A: Dentin crazing
 B: Failure of a pin to
fully penetrate the
pin channel
Each pin must be opposed by another retention feature
these include:
 Parallelism in all walls of preparation
 Proximal box form
 Dovetail
 Rectangular boxes in areas other than proximal
 Reduction of undermined cusps
 Retention grooves/ lock
 Amalgapin
 Segmental circumferential slot
 Segmental peripheral shelf
 Another pin
 Significantly broken
down vital molar
 Suggested retentive
design employing:
› threaded pin to
› Vertical grooves
› Amalgam slots.
 Placed with inverted
cone bur,
circumferentially
 More sensitive to
displacement during
matrix removal than pin
retained
 Segmental use more
common than
circumferential
 Use only in area of
preparation where needed
 2.0 mm wide axially
 1.0 mm height gingivally
Circular chambers cut
vertically into dentin
Placement locations similar to
conventional pins
Resistance to displacement =
conventional pins
Pear shaped bur, 1mm wide,
1.5-2mm deep

Amalgam Inserts
Inverted cone bur 1.5mm wide
and deep
 Not much recommended for sole means of
retention
 Can be used in combination with other
retentive features
 Provide good marginal seal to amalgam
restorations
› Decreased micro leakage
› Reduced post operative sensitivity
 Mechanism: amalgam is condensed into resin
while it is in viscous liquid form
 Microscopic fingers of resin are incorporated
into amalgam at interface.
 Self cured resin is used
That’s all About It!