2-10. POLISHING MATERIALS
a. Tin Oxide. Tin oxide is used in polishing teeth and metal restorations. Tin
oxide is a fine, white powder that is made into a paste by adding water or glycerin.
b. Pumice. Pumice is used as an abrasive and polishing agent for acrylic
resins, amalgams, and gold. It consists mainly of complex silicates of aluminum,
potassium, and sodium. Two grades--flour of pumice and coarse pumice--are listed in
the Federal Supply Catalog.
c. Chalk (Whiting). Chalk is used for polishing acrylic resins and metals. It is
composed primarily of calcium carbonate.
d. Tripoli. Tripoli is usually used for polishing gold and other metals. It is made
from certain porous rocks.
e. Rouge (Jeweler's). Rouge is used for polishing gold and is composed of iron
oxide. It is usually in cake or stick form.
f. Zirconium Silicate. Zirconium silicate is used for cleaning and polishing
teeth. It may be mixed with water or with fluoride solution for caries prevention
treatment. For full effectiveness, instructions must be followed exactly to obtain the
proper proportions of powder to liquid.
Section III. DENTAL GOLD AND GOLD ALLOYS
2-11. GENERAL
Gold, the most noble of metals, seldom tarnishes or corrodes in the oral cavity.
Because of the softness of pure gold, it is not indicated for use in the mouth except in
the form of gold foil. Gold is frequently used in combination with other metals to
produce alloys that can be used to fabricate various types of dental restorations where
metal is indicated. The basic types of gold alloys used in dentistry are casting gold,
gold solder, wrought gold, and gold plate. The principal metals used to combine with
gold to form the alloys are silver, copper, platinum, palladium, and zinc.
2-12. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
Controlled items subject to strict accountability and safeguarding are gold solder,
controlled items and from amalgam are also subject to the same controls. These items
are controlled by delegated members of the dental facility; however, all members of the
dental care system must be aware of safeguarding precious metals, collecting precious
and semiprecious scrap, and accounting for receipt, use, and turn-in of these items. If
dental precious metal appliances, such as gold crowns and gold bridges, are retrieved
from a patient, they are turned in as precious metal scrap subject to accounting
controls.
MD0502
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