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Overview
Basic composition
Basic setting reactions
Classifications
Manufacturing
Variables in amalgam
performance
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Amalgam
An alloy of mercury with another metal.
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Why Amalgam?
Inexpensive
Ease of use
Proven track record
>100 years
Familiarity
Resin-free
less allergies than composite
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Constituents in Amalgam
Basic
Silver
Tin
Copper
Mercury
Other
Zinc
Indium
Palladium
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Basic Constituents
Silver (Ag)
increases strength
increases expansion
Tin (Sn)
decreases expansion
decreased strength
increases setting time
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Basic Constituents
Copper (Cu)
ties up tin
reducing gamma-2 formation
increases strength
reduces tarnish and corrosion
reduces creep
reduces marginal deterioration
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Basic Constituents
Mercury (Hg)
activates reaction
only pure metal that is liquid
at room temperature
spherical alloys
require less mercury
smaller surface area easier to wet
40 to 45% Hg
admixed alloys
require more mercury
lathe-cut particles more difficult to wet
45 to 50% Hg
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Other Constituents
Zinc (Zn)
used in manufacturing
sacrificial anode
H2O + Zn ZnO + H2
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Other Constituents
Indium (In)
decreases surface tension
reduces amount of mercury necessary
reduces emitted mercury vapor
Other Constituents
Palladium (Pd)
reduced corrosion
greater luster
example
Valiant PhD (Ivoclar Vivadent)
0.5% palladium
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Basic Composition
A silver-mercury matrix containing filler
particles of silver-tin
Filler (bricks)
Matrix
cement
voids
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Ag-Sn Alloy
Hg
Hg
Ag Ag
Ag
Sn
Sn
Ag-Sn
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Alloy
Mercury
(Hg)
Sn
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unreacted alloy
strongest phase and
corrodes the least
forms 30% of volume
of set amalgam
Hg
Ag-Sn Alloy
Hg
Hg
Ag
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Sn
Sn
Ag
Ag
Sn
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Mercury
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Ag-Sn Alloy
1
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
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Ag-Sn Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
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Ag-Cu Alloy
eutectic
Hg
Ag Ag
Ag
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Sn
Hg
Ag
Sn
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Mercury
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Ag-Cu Alloy
(eta) Cu6Sn5 ()
around unconsumed
Ag-Cu particles
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
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Ag-Cu Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
Ag-Sn
Alloy
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Single Composition
High-Copper Alloys
Gamma sphere () (Ag3Sn)
Ag-Sn Alloy
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Single Composition
High-Copper Alloys
Gamma 1 (1) (Ag2Hg3) crystals
grow binding together partiallydissolved gamma () alloy
particles (Ag3Sn)
Ag-Sn Alloy
Ag-Sn Alloy
Ag-Sn Alloy
reduces creep
prevents gamma-2 formation
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Classifications
Based on copper content
Based on particle shape
Based on method of adding
copper
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Copper Content
Low-copper alloys
4 to 6% Cu
High-copper alloys
thought that 6% Cu was maximum amount
at expense of Ag
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Particle Shape
Lathe cut
low Cu
high Cu
Spherical
low Cu
high Cu
Admixture
high Cu
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Admixture:
Lathe-cut + Spherical Eutectic
(ALE)
Composition
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Admixture:
Lathe-cut + Single Composition
Spherical (ALSCS)
High Cu in both lathe-cut and spherical
components
19% Cu
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Manufacturing Process
Lathe-cut alloys
heat treat
phases solidify
400 C for 8 hours
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Manufacturing Process
Spherical alloys
melt alloy
atomize
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Material-Related Variables
Dimensional change
Strength
Corrosion
Creep
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Dimensional Change
Most high-copper amalgams undergo a
net contraction
Contraction leaves marginal gap
initial leakage
post-operative sensitivity
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Dimensional Change
Net contraction
type of alloy
spherical alloys have more
contraction
less mercury
condensation technique
greater condensation = higher contraction
trituration time
overtrituration causes higher contraction
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Strength
Develops slowly
1 hr: 40 to 60% of maximum
24 hrs: 90% of maximum
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Corrosion
Reduces strength
Seals margins
low copper
6 months
SnO2, SnCl
gamma-2 phase
high copper
6 - 24 months
SnO2 , SnCl, CuCl
eta-phase (Cu6Sn5)
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Creep
Slow deformation of amalgam placed under
a constant load
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Creep
High-copper amalgams have creep
resistance
prevention of gamma-2 phase
requires >12% Cu total
interlock
admixture
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Dentist-Controlled Variables
Manipulation
trituration
condensation
burnishing
polishing
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Trituration
Mixing time
refer to manufacturer
recommendations
Click here for details
Overtrituration
hot mix
sticks to capsule
Undertrituration
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Condensation
Forces
lathe-cut alloys
small condensers
high force
spherical alloys
large condensers
less sensitive to amount of force
vertical / lateral with vibratory motion
admixture alloys
intermediate handling between lathe-cut and spherical
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Burnishing
Pre-carve
removes excess mercury
improves margin adaptation
Post-carve
improves smoothness
Combined
less leakage
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Early Finishing
After initial set
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Polishing
Increased smoothness
Decreased plaque retention
Decreased corrosion
Clinically effective?
no improvement in marginal integrity
Mayhew Oper Dent 1986
Collins J Dent 1992
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Alloy Selection
Handling characteristics
Mechanical and physical
properties
Clinical performance
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Handling Characteristics
Spherical
advantages
easier to condense
around pins
hardens rapidly
smoother polish
disadvantages
difficult to achieve tight contacts
higher tendency for overhangs
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Handling Characteristics
Admixed
advantages
easy to achieve tight contacts
good polish
disadvantages
hardens slowly
lower early strength
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Amalgam Properties
Compressive
Strength (MPa)
% Creep
Tensile
Strength
(24 hrs) (MPa)
Amalgam Type
1 hr
7 days
Low Copper1
145
343
2.0
60
Admixture2
137
431
0.4
48
Single
Composition3
262
510
0.13
64
1Fine
Cut, Caulk
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3Tytin, Kerr
2 Dispersalloy,
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Thanks A Lot
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