[Repair and revision 1. Repair or replacement of amalgam]

Amalgam restorations may suffer from all sorts of shortcomings. Three options are available to the dental practitioner: replacement, repair or no repair. Minor shortcomings which do not cause any harm are better left untreated. Reasons for repair or replacement are: secondary caries, failing proximal contact, cervical overhanging, bulk fracture, fracture of adjacent tooth structure and postoperative sensibility. Repair will cause less iatrogenic damage than complete replacement, and is therefore preferred. Amalgam restorations can be repaired with composite resin (in conjunction with an adhesive) or with amalgam, but a repaired restoration is less strong than a restoration made in one piece.