Amalgam Flashcards
Define amalgam
Any alloy of mercury with another metal other metals
Defne dental amalgam
Essentially an alloy of silver =, mercury and tin with some other metals aded to modify the properties
State the chemical reaction that forms amalgam
Ag + Sn=> Ag3Sn
What shapes can the alloy powder particles be in?
Lathe cut
Spherical
What is amalgam made up f?
Amalgam powder (made up of silver , copper etc)
AND
liquid mercury
Let the 3 possible reagins the can occur when liquid mercury and amalgam powder are mixed together?
- 3Ag+Sn=>Ag3Sn
- 2Ag+3Hg=>Ag2Hg3
- Hg+7Sn=>Sn7Hg
State the gamma reaction that occurs when liquid mercury and amalgam powder are mixed together
3Ag + Sn => Ag3Sn
State the gamma 1 reaction that occurs when liquid mercury and amalgam powder are mixed together
2Ag + 3Hg => Ag2Hg3
State the gamma 2 reaction that occurs when liquid mercury and amalgam powder are mixed together
Hg + 7Sn => Sn7Hg
Which of the 3 reactions that occur in amalgam the most problematic?
The gamma 2 reaction :
Sn7Hg
What is the gamma 2 reaction responsible for?
- Corrosion
2, Creep - Decrease in strength
What do we ad to amalgam to reduce the gamma 2 phase?
Copper
State the gamma 2 reaction when copper I added
AgCu + Sn7Hg => Cu6Sn5 + Ag2Hg3
Name the 4main ingredients that makeup modern amalgam powder
- SIlver
2, Tin - Copper
- Zinc
State the percentage weight of silver in modern amalgam powder
65%
State the percentage weight of tin in modern amalgam powder
29%
State the percentage weight of copper in modern amalgam powder
6-13%
State the percentage weight of zinc in modern amalgam powder
2%
What is the IDEAL ratio of powder to liquid in amalgam
Ideally final amalgam restoration should contain less than 50% mercury
What is the problem with trying to mix powder with less than 50% mercury?
It is very difficult as the mixture is too dry