Effects of Cement Bases on the Stresses in Amalgam Restorations

Abstract

A computerized dental model was used to study the stress induced in a Class 1 amalgam restoration when supported by bases of varying materials and thickness. Under the same load, the maximum tensile stresses and deflections in the amalgam restoration increased at least threefold with a zinc oxide-eugenol base as compared with a ZnPO4 cement base.