Hygiene Atlas

Start here · Trays · Restorative trays

Amalgam (silver filling) tray

Also called: amalgam setup, silver filling tray

Setup for a silver filling: prep, matrix, carry, condense, carve, burnish, check bite.

For an amalgam filling the tooth is prepared, a Tofflemire matrix and wedge are placed if a side wall is missing, then amalgam is carried in, condensed (packed), carved to shape and burnished (smoothed). The band comes off carefully and the bite is checked. Every office's tray list is a little different; this is a common example. Follow your office's tray card.

How to spot it

  1. Amalgam carrier, condensers, carvers and a burnisher lined up after the excavator.

On the tray, in order

  1. 1. Mouth mirror
  2. 2. Explorer
  3. 3. Cotton pliers
  4. 4. Spoon excavator
  5. 5. Tofflemire retainer with band, and wedges
  6. 6. Amalgam well and amalgam carrier
  7. 7. Condensers (small to large)
  8. 8. Discoid-cleoid carver
  9. 9. Hollenback carver
  10. 10. Burnisher
  11. 11. Articulating paper and forceps
  12. Plus: anesthetic setup, handpieces and burs, HVE, air-water syringe tip, cotton rolls or rubber dam

Safety and care

  1. Collect amalgam scrap and capsules for proper disposal or recycling; keep it out of the trash and drains.
  2. Use HVE when removing old amalgam.

Related

Sources: Mt. Hood Community College. Restorative Dentistry (open Pressbooks text): "Placing Amalgam Restorations" and "Amalgam Set Up.", Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Matrix Band Placement, Hu-Friedy Group. Miller Articulating Paper Forceps