permite-c and tytin

Different formulations of amalgam have physical properties that may make them behave differently in the often-contaminated root end environment. Five different brands of amalgam were evaluated for microleakage of root-end fillings placed in extracted human teeth. These included a zinc-free spherical amalgam, a zinc-free admixture amalgam, two zinc-containing admixture amalgams, and a zinc-containing lathe-cut amalgam. The amalgams were placed either into dry root-end preparations or into preparations contaminated with human blood. The fluid filtration method was used to measure microleakage at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 wk after placement. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the rates of microleakage at every measurement period. Scheffé's test showed that the zinc-free spherical amalgam had significantly greater leakage than all the other products evaluated. There were no significant differences between any of the other products. Blood contamination did not adversely affect the seal of any amalgam.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Dental Alloys; Dental Amalgam; Dental Leakage; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Retrograde Obturation; Root Canal Filling Materials; Zinc

Compressive strength, dimensional change during hardening and residual mercury content of three high-copper spherical particle amalgams (Tytin, Logic and Valiant), two admix amalgams (Dispersalloy and Permite C) and a conventional lathe-cut amalgam (New True Dentalloy) were determined as a function of condensation pressure and trituration time. The properties of the three amalgams containing non-spherical particles were markedly dependent on condensation pressure in the range 3 MPa to 14 MPa. Specimens condensed at 3 MPa showed substantially lower strength, greater expansion during hardening and higher residual mercury contents than did specimens condensed at 14 MPa. The three high-copper spherical particle amalgams, on the other hand, were comparatively insensitive to condensation pressure. Variations in trituration time between 5 and 12 seconds had little effect on the properties of any of the amalgams.

Topics: Copper; Dental Alloys; Dental Amalgam; Materials Testing; Mercury; Particle Size; Pressure