The effect of burnishing on the marginal leakage of high copper amalgam restorations: an in vitro study

This article deals with the pros and cons of burnishing amalgam restorations. An in vitro study of Class V restorations tested 2 types of high copper amalgams: admixed (Silmet) and spherical (Tytin), and 3 combinations of pre- and post-carving burnishing procedures. The Admix amalgam showed less marginal leakage after burnishing procedures (pre-carved, and pre- and post-carved combinations), while with the spherical amalgam, no significant statistical difference was noted getween burnished and unburnished restorations. The best marginal adaptation was obtained with the admixed amalgam, in which burnishing was carried out both before and after the carving procedure.