ACCURRTE FORCE AMALGAM CONDENSER, A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF DENTAL AMALGAM CONDENSATION

Objectives: Dental amalgam is one of the most popular restorative materials used in dentistry. Dental amalgam has the properties of a plastic material immediately after amalgamation, so that it can be adapted to the prepared cavity. Adequate condensation pressure is one of the most important factors affecting mechanical characteristics of amalgam. Conventionally, a hand amalgam condenser is used for amalgam condensation. According to research studies in this field, the optimum pressure required for condensation of the admixed type of amalgam is 7Mpa. Various research studies have shown that many dental practitioners do not apply the required condensation force. Some reasons for this include lack of an accurate force evaluation system during the process of education and daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to provide a solution to the above issues.

Methods: The Accurate Force Amalgam Condenser includes an innovative part called the Force Indicator Unit (FIU), which provides an objective method to evaluate the adequacy of force applied to the mass of amalgam during condensation. FIU includes a nickel- inconel alloy based on a spring system, which calibrates in a way that its highest contraction occurs at the pressure value of 7Mpa. The spring moves in a tube and indicates the adequacy of applied force objectively.

Results: This instrument can theoretically improve the quality of amalgam condensation.
Conclusion: This new innovative hand instrument can theoretically be used routinely by dental practitioners and for educational purposes; however further studies are required in order to evaluate its efficiency clinically. It should be mentioned that the patent of this invention has been registered in the General Office of Industrial Property of Iran.

Keywords: Amalgam condenser, Innovative instrument.