Assist with Amalgam Restoration

Dental Assisting

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This course explains the dental assistant’s role in amalgam restoration for the treatment of decayed teeth.

This course provides knowledge in amalgam restoration. Amalgam restoration refers to the application of mercury-based compounds for the treatment of decayed teeth. These fillers may also include tin, copper, and silver, and are often dentists' material of choice for use in posterior (back) teeth, because of their ability to better withstand the greater pressures exerted on the back teeth when chewing.

There are three principal stages in the amalgam restoration process, each of which is covered in detail in this module. This includes the trituration and transfer of the amalgam after the tooth has been prepared, tooth carving and tooth contouring and burnishing.

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Dental assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Procedure

Step 2.1 - Preparing the tooth

Step 2.2 - Mix and transfer the amalgam

Step 2.3 - Tooth carving

Step 2.4 - Tooth contour and burnish

Step 3 - Post-procedure care

Step 3.1 - Post-procedure care

Step 3.2 - Patient recovery

Step 4 - Complete the procedure

Step 4.1 - Discard materials

Step 4.2 - Complete the documentation

Step 4.3 - Disinfect equipment and work area

Step 4.4 - Remove your gloves and wash your hands

Describe the pre-procedure considerations for amalgam restoration.
Describe and demonstrate the preparation for amalgam restoration.
Explain the technique for amalgam restoration and demonstrate the Dental Assistant's role in the process.
Explain the composition, use, and delivery of the materials used for amalgam restoration:
- tooth prep
- trituration
- amalgam load
Demonstrate the dental assistant's role in the Contour and Burnish process:
- tooth carving
- checking for occlusion
Explain the post-procedure process for amalgam restoration.
Describe correct post-procedure considerations.
Describe correct recording and reporting procedures.
Define and correctly use related medical terminology.
Describe clinical safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Describe the purpose of the state Dental Practice Act and its relevance for dental assistants.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA), Patient Safety Act, and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long