Class I Amalgam Restoration
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Amalgam Restoration of a Class I Occlusal Preparation / page 3

Insert small increments of fresh amalgam alloy into the preparation followed by forceful condensation of each increment with appropriately sized condensors. Beginning at the pulpal wall, condense toward the internal line angles as the amalgam is built up to the cavosurface margins. At the surface, condense amalgam against all cavosurface margins, following and developing the basic anatomical features of the occlusal surface.
Overlap strokes for complete condensation
Make sure amalgam is always underneath the condensor point
After firmly condensing and overfilling the preparation with amalgam, complete the process by "smearing" the final layer from the center towards all margins with a round-ended burnisher.  An acorn-shaped burnisher is an ideal instrument to initiate pits as well as fissures.
Avoid carving from amalgam to tooth structure - carve parallel to the cavosurface margins or from tooth structure toward amalgam
To prevent submarginal areas, always hold the carver perpendicular to the margins with part of the carver resting on the tooth surface.  A cleiod-discoid carver is ideally suited for carving conservative class I occlusal amalgam restorations.
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