MICROLEAKAGE OF AMALGAM ALLOYS - AN UPDATE

Using an in vitro air pressure test, the authors found a wide variatio n in the microleakage characteristics of amalgam restorations made fro m 33 recently manufactured precapsulated alloys. Spherical particle al loys as a group exhibited the highest microleakage values. When the au thors changed the mercury/alloy ratios to produce 1 percent more mercu ry in the capsules by weight, microleakage decreased significantly. Be cause extensive microleakage of amalgam restorations has been related to increased postoperative sensitivity, the authors suggest that pract itioners should be alert to this potential problem.