Dental amalgam Flashcards
what is dental amalgam a product of?
amalgamation :
alloy + mercury react to form silvery hard grey mass
why is it not increasingly demanded from the public?
performs better but has poor aesthetics
why is the use of dental amalgam declining?
- development of viable alternatives
- concerns on safety and environmental pollution
what are the two compositions of dental amalgam?
- conventional (products pre 1996)
- higher copper (post 1986)
what was development of amalgam stimulated by?
better understanding of structure properly relationships
what is the conventional composition of amalgam?
- 65% Ag
- 29% Sn
- 6% Cu
- 2% Zn
- 3% Hg
what is the typical high copper composition of amalgam?
- 40% Ag
- 32% Sn
- 30% Cu
- 2% Zn
- 3% Hg
what are the variations in alloy morphology?
- lathe cute
- sperhical
what gamma phases is wanted and which is not wanted?
wanted - phase 1
not wanted - phase 2
Describe the dental amalgam setting reaction.
- preponderance of Ag3Sn (undergoes setting reaction)
- Cu has strengthening effect on amalgam
- Zn acts as scavenger in alloy production (may eliminate if manufacture in inert atmosphere
what is mixing termed?
trituration
Describe the setting reaction and dimensional changes.
Dimensional changes :
- 30 mins small shrinkage (Hg diffuses into alloy)
- 30-60 mins - expansion due to crystallisation
- overall effect is either net expansion /contraction
- ISO limit +/- 0.1% expansion/contraction
- manipulative variables help limit
why is moisture controlled during setting reaction?
when Zn combines with H20 , H2 gas is produced
how long is the setting reaction from placement to function?
15-20 minutes
how long is the setting reaction for final strength?
24 hours