Experimental marginal leakage around dental amalgams placed in artificial cavities.

Experimental marginal leakage of high- and low-Cu amalgam restorations placed in acrylic teeth, where the cavities were untreated or painted with denatured collagen and/or a CaP slurry, was assessed after specimens were stored in a 1% NaCl solution for ten days and for one yr. All specimens stored for ten days showed severe marginal leakage. High- and low-Cu amalgam restorations placed in untreated acrylic teeth cavities formed seals after a storage period of one yr, indicating that these materials are able to form a seal without interacting with a natural tooth cavity interface. Cavities treated with denatured collagen also formed seals in the long-term group. It was apparent that, when the CaP slurry was used, generally more leakage resulted after the year's storage period than when amalgam restorations were placed in uncoated acrylic cavity surfaces or in those painted with denatured collagen.