There is an obvious correlation between the quality of amalgam condensation and its mechanical properties. Applying an optimum force for the condensation has a great role in the process.
Methods:
20 voluntary dental students initiating a 3 month pre-clinic restorative course were entered to the study. The amalgam condensation principles were educated equally for them in a same program. At the beginning of the practical course they arranged in two 10 member groups randomly. Practical methods were educated using a novel amalgam condenser showing application of an optimum 7 mega-Pascal pressure called the Accurate Force amalgam Condenser (AFC) to a group and using a conventional one to another one for a class one restorative cavity filling. At the end of the course the pressure applied to a pressure type dynamometer was measured using a conventional condenser for all individuals for 10 reapititive times and the mean pressure applied by each person was calculated.
Results:
The mean pressure applied by members of the AFC group was 7.89 MP with the standard deviation of 0.60.The same values for Conventional group in the same order was 6.49 MP and 1.47. According to paired t-test the difference between groups was statistically significant (p=0.021)
Conclusions:
AFC can be considered as a good instrument for the education of amalgam condensation procedure to dental students.