Amalgam Flashcards
where are amalgam restorations commonly placed?
posterior teeth- with large class I and class II cavities.
what is the process of amalgamation of amalgam?
combining alloy with mercury to form hard silver mass
what is amalgam made up of?
- silver
- tin
- copper
- zinc
- mercury
what part of amalgam gives it its strength?
copper
what part of amalgam undergoes a setting reaction?
silver and tin
what is amalgam creep?
deformation of amalgam under stress- causing protrusions at margins which leads to ditching.
what phase is mostly responsible for amalgam creeping?
gamma 2 phase- not as much of a risk to high copper amalgam as no gamma 2 phase
what can creeping cause?
can cause the Amalgam to fracture leading to a ditch and risk of secondary caries
why do we not get ingress of bacteria when high copper amalgam corrodes?
because copper is bacteriocidal
what is mercury known to be toxic to?
CNS
can you use amalgam on pregnant patients?
no you must no place or replace amalgam on pregnant patients as it has been known to cross the placenta.
what stages do you get high amounts of mercury?
- placement
- carving
- removal
how is the environment at risk of dental amalgam?
- dental unit- now uses filters to remove amalgam.
- crematorium
