Chapter 15 TERMS

Question 1

define amalgam

Answer 1

An alloy containing mercury.

Question 2

define amalgamation

Answer 2

The process of mixing liquid mercury with one or more metals or alloys to form
an amalgam.

Question 3

define creep

Answer 3

The time-dependent strain or deformation that is produced by a stress. The creep process can cause an amalgam restoration to extend out of the restoration site, thereby increasing its suscep- tibility to marginal breakdown.

Question 4

define delayed expansion

Answer 4

The gradual expansion of a zinc-containing amalgam over a period of weeks to months. This expansion is associated with the development of hydrogen gas, which is caused by the incorporation of moisture in the plastic mass during its manipulation in a cavity preparation.

Question 5

define dental amalgam

Answer 5

An alloy that is formed by reacting mercury with silver, copper, and tin, and which may also contain palladium, zinc, and other elements to improve handling characteristics and clini- cal performance.

Question 6

define dental amalgam alloy

Answer 6

An alloy of silver, copper, tin, and other ele- ments that is processed in the form of powder particles or as a compressed pellet.

Question 7

define marginal breakdown

Answer 7

The gradual fracture of the perimeter or margin of a dental amalgam filling, which leads to the formation of gaps between the amalgam and the tooth.

Question 8

define trituration

Answer 8

The mixing of amalgam alloy particles with mercury in a device called a triturator; the term is also used to describe the reduction of a solid to fine particles by grinding or friction.