Dental Amalgam Flashcards
What is amalgam?
alloy + mercurary
What is dental amalgam?
alloy containing silver, tin and certain elements and mercury
What is the reaction of alloy and mercury called?
amalgamation
What is the predominant element in alloy?
silver
What does silver combine with?
tin, the main reaction
Why is mercury added?
increase rate of reaction - pre-amalgamation
What does zinc preferentially react with?
oxygen
What would you call an alloy with less than 0.01% zinc?
zinc free alloys
What percent are zinc containing alloys?
more than or equal to 0.01%
When does zinc produce hydrogen gas?
when reacted with water
Why is moisture control important (specifically with zinc)?
zinc reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas and excessive delayed expansion
Do the majority of alloys have zinc?
no
What form of mercury is used and why?
pure form otherwise inferior physical properties result
adversely affect the setting characteristics of the amalgam
Is mercury distilled?
yes, 3 times
What is the appearance of contaminated mercury?
dull appreance - we know encapsulate
What are the 3 phases of amalgamation? (mercury with alloy)
What is the unreacted core surrounded by?
amalgam matrix
(gamma 1 silver/mercury and gamma 2 tin/mercury)
What depth of the outer layer react with alloy particles?
3-5 um