Amalgam Exercise

I. Choose the correct answer:

1- The presence of excess mercury in the amalgam mix:

a- Decreases the strength b- Increases the creep.

c- Increases the setting expansion d- All of the above.

2- High-copper amalgam is characterized by elimination of:

a- Ag3 Sn (γ phase) b- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1 phase)

c- Sn8 Hg (γ2 phase) d- Cu6Sn5 (η phase)

3- Tin (Sn) is added mainly to …..

a. increases creep
b. Decrease setting expansion
c. Decrease tarnish and corrosion resistance
d. Improve reactivity with mercury at room temperature

4- The spherical and spheroidal powders should be exposed to the homogenization

process in order to …….

a- eliminate coring b- relief of internal stresses

c- a & b d- none of the above

5- Spherical amalgam takes ………… mercury to obtain a homogenous mix

when compared to lathe cut

a- less b- more c- same d- none of the above

6- The strongest phase in dental amalgam is …..

a- γ - Ag3Sn (gamma) b- γ1- Ag2Hg3 (gamma-one)

c- γ2-Sn8Hg (gamma-two) d- none of the above

7- Moisture contamination of zinc containing amalgam during trituration or

condensation will cause the following …..
a. Delayed [secondary] expansion
b. postoperative pain
c. blistering
d. all of the above

8- In dental amalgam, spherical particles are better when compared to lathe cut
because …..
a. They have lower surface area/volume
 b. They take less mercury to obtain a homogenous mix (lower Hg/alloy).
c. They produce a smoother surface during carving and finishing
d. All of the above

9- Excess mercury in dental amalgam leads to increases the amount of ……..

a- γ1 phase
b- γ2 phase
c- a&b
d- none of the above

10- Creep of dental amalgam is decreased by the use of …….

a- high copper unicompositional dental amalgam alloy

b- low mercury/alloy
c- a&b
d- none of the above

11- The viscous portion in dental amalgam is represented by ……..

a- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) and Sn8 Hg (γ2) phases

b- Ag3Sn (γ) and Cu6Sn5 (η) phases
c- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) and Ag3Sn (γ)
d- None of the above

12- The elastic portion in dental amalgam is represented by ……..

a- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) and Sn8 Hg (γ2) phases

b- Ag3Sn (γ) and Cu6Sn5 (η) phases
c- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) and Ag3Sn (γ)
d- None of the above

13- Dental amalgam alloy is ………

a- intermetallic alloy.
b- Eutectic alloy.
c- Solid solution.
d- None of the above.

14- Dental amalgam is characterized to be ….

a- Brittle
b- Viscoelastic
c- Metallic
d- All of the above

15- Dental amalgam bonded to tooth structure by ……. retention

a- Chemical
 b- Mechanical
c- a &b
d- None of the above

16- Reduction of corrosion in dental amalgam is achieved by …..

a- The use of low mercury alloy ratio to reduce the reaction products especially γ2
phase
b- The use of high copper amalgam alloys to be free of y2 phase
c- Finishing and polishing of amalgam restoration to produce smooth surface.
d- All of the above

17- In low copper amalgam the ………… represent the matrix

a- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) phase

b- Sn8 Hg (γ2) phase
c- Ag3Sn (γ) phase
d- a&b

18- In high copper amalgam the ………. represent the matrix

a- Sn8 Hg (γ2) phase

b- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) phase
c- Ag3Sn (γ) phase
d- None of the above

19- The strongest phase in dental amalgam is ……..

a- Ag3Sn (γ) phase

b- Sn8 Hg (γ2) phase
c- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) phase
d- None of the above

20- The most corroidable phase in dental amalgam is …….

a- Ag3Sn (γ) phase

b- Sn8 Hg (γ2) phase
c- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) phase
d- Cu6Sn5 (η) phase

21- The weakest phase in dental amalgam is ………

a- Ag3Sn (γ) phase

b- Sn8 Hg (γ2) phase
c- Ag2 Hg3 (γ1) phase
d- Cu6Sn5 (η) phase

22- The net total dimensional change in dental amalgam is ………..

 a- Expansion
b- Contraction
c- No dimensional change
d- None of the above

23- Marginal adaptation and seal of dental amalgam can be obtained by …..

a- Good condensation
b- Formation of corrosion products at the amalgam tooth interface
c- Application of amalgam bonded system
d- All of the above

II. Give reasons for:

1. In dental amalgam spherical and spheroidal powders should be exposed to the

homogenization process
2. Aging or annealing is not necessary for spherical and spheroidal powders in dental
amalgam
3. Delayed [secondary] expansion of zinc containing dental amalgam
4. In children, zinc free dental amalgam should be used rather than zinc containing
amalgam
5. High-copper alloys have become the material of choice in dental amalgam
6. to obtain better properties of amalgam fillings, minimum amount of mercury should
always be mixed with the powder
7. corrosion of amalgam may be consider an advantage
8. creep of dental amalgam
9. creep is very high in conventional low copper amalgam
10. Dental amalgam always corrodes.

III- Give an account:

1. Role of alloying elements in dental amalgam
2. Role of mercury in dental amalgam
3. Role of annealing and homogenization in dental amalgam
4. Classification of dental amalgam according to copper content
5. Classification of dental amalgam according to zinc content
6. Classification of dental amalgam according to particle shape
7. Advantages of spherical particles compared to lathe cut
8. Setting reaction and microstructure of low cupper amalgam
9. Setting reaction and microstructure of admixed amalgam
10. Setting reaction and microstructure of high cupper amalgam
11. "Self seal property" of dental amalgam.
12. Clinical significance of creep in dental amalgam.