Retention of pins in amalgam

The Max 021 titanium alloy self-threading retentive pin was evaluated for retention in amalgam and compared to the Link Plus titanium alloy self-threading pin. Fifteen specimens in which amalgam was condensed around the retentive pins were prepared. The specimens were mounted in a specially constructed test apparatus in an Instron Testing Machine and placed under a continuous tensile force (1 mm/min) until failure occurred. The mean force required to induce failure in the Max pin specimens was 87.6 (+/- 37.4) Newtons while the mean for the Link Plus pins was 180.4 (+/- 39.8) Newtons. The failure of the specimens using the Max pins was primarily a result of fracture of the amalgam with removal of the pin intact. The failure site of the Link Plus pin was primarily fracture of the pin itself. Statistically, a significantly greater force was required to induce failure in the Link Plus pins.