A review of the amalgapin technique for complex amalgam restorations.

For many years, large amalgam restorations have been retained with stainless steel pins or dentinal slots. In 1980, Shavell introduced the amalgapin technique for what he termed "complex" amalgam restorations. This technique consisted of preparing dentin chambers 1.0-2.0 mm deep just inside the dentinoenamel junction. As the technique became more popular, comparisons of its fracture strength to that of stainless steel pins were evaluated. This article reviews the literature concerning the amalgapin technique, examines its resistance compared to other retentive means, and discusses the method of preparation.