Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

In cases where ditching is observed in an amalgam filling, the appropriate action involves repairing the defect with unfilled resins. Ditching refers to a defect where there are small grooves or recessed areas along the edge of the filling, which can lead to difficulties in maintaining proper oral hygiene and can serve as a site for plaque accumulation.

Using unfilled resins to repair the defect is beneficial because these materials can effectively seal the margins of the amalgam filling, preventing further deterioration and minimizing the risk of secondary caries. The resin can flow into the defect, enhancing the overall marginal integrity of the restoration. This option conserves the majority of the existing filling while addressing the issue without the need to replace the entire restoration.

Other options may not effectively address the specific problem of ditching. For example, simply polishing the surface may improve the aesthetic aspect but does not remedy the functional issue created by the ditching. Applying a protective sealant might offer some barrier but wouldn’t correct the underlying defect. Replacing the filling would be a more invasive and potentially unnecessary procedure if the ditching can be managed adequately with resin repair.