The effect of finishing and polishing on the decision to replace existing amalgam restorations

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of finishing and polishing procedures on the decision to replace existing amalgam restorations. Method and materials: Twenty Class I and Class II amalgam restorations, free from obvious defects, were selected in 6 patients. The restorations were photographed before and after being submitted to a standard finishing and polishing procedure. In the first phase, the preoperative slides were examined by 27 clinicians and senior dental students, who were instructed to inspect each restoration and answer a questionnaire indicating if and why the restoration needed to be replaced. Two weeks later, the postoperative slides were presented to the same examiners, who were asked to answer the same questionnaire as before. Results: At the first phase, there were 236 decisions (44%) to replace existing amalgam restorations. Following the finishing and polishing procedures, 114 decisions (21%) were made to replace existing amalgam restorations. This difference was statistically significant. Secondary caries was the most common reason for replacement. Conclusion: The finishing and polishing procedure reversed the decision to replace old amalgam restorations.