1) What does trituration mean?

A) The mixing of alloy particles with mercury is called as trituration.

2) What is creep?

A) The time dependent plastic deformation is called as creep.

3) What does the ADA specification number for amalgam recommend?

A) As per ADA specification no. 1, the early (1hour) compressive strength of amalgam must be at least 80
Mpa. The compressive strength of a satisfactory amalgam should be at least 310 Mpa and creep to be
below 3%.

4) Which phase of amalgam has minimum strength?

A) The Y2 phase (Sn7-8Hg) is the weakest phase and more prone to corrosion and creep and has
minimum strength.

5) Setting time of amalgam is best controlled by?

A) Trituration time.

6) What happens when residual mercury increases in amalgam filling?

A) Cause fracture of the filling.

7) Percentage of zinc in non-zinc containing alloys?

A) Less than 0.01%.

8) How is High strength amalgam achieved?

A) By Minimum Matrix and high-strength Alloy phase.

9) Adequate mixing of mercury is indicated by?

A) It is indicated by presence of shiny and smooth surface with uniform consistency.
10) Coefficient of thermal expansion of Amalgam?
A) 25 ppm/k.

11) Outstanding clinical performance of amalgam is related to its?

A) By Compressive Strength the Amalgam.

12) Eames technique is otherwise known as?

A) Minimum Mercury Technique and No Squeeze Cloth Technique.

13) Discolouration of Ag containing alloys is due to?

A) Tarnish and corrosion.

14) Largest component of amalgam alloy is?

A) Silver (60-70%).

15) Tarnished layer of amalgam consists of?

A) Sulphides of Silver.

16) Tensile strength of amalgam is?

A) 27-55 MPa.

17) Amalgam achieves 70% of its strength in?

A) By 8 hours.

18) Solid solution of liquid and mercury is called?

A) Gamma 1 (Ag2Hg3).
19) Once triturated,dental amalgam should be condensed within?
A) 3 minutes.

20) In Amalgam alloys,which acts as oxygen scavenger?

A) Zinc.

21) Advantage of Eames technique?

A) High strength, sets quickly and no squeezing of Mercury required.

22) A true eutectic alloy has melting point?

A) Below the melting point of either metal.

23) Mercury rich condition in a slow setting amalgam alloy system results in?
A) Delayed expansion.

24) Overtrituration of amalgam causes?

A) Increases the strength of lathe cut alloy and decreases the strength of spherical alloy amalgam.

25) Amalgam tattoos?

A) The bluish black discoloration of soft tissues of mouth particularly mucosa of lower jaw.

26) What are new amalgam alloys?

A) Disperse alloy was introduced by mixing silver copper eutectic alloy with traditional lathe cut Ag3Sn
particles in a ratio 1:2.

27) What is the most critical manipulative variable of amalgam?

A) Condensation.
28) What pattern does an amalgamator oscillate in?
A) A typical amalgamator oscillate in a figure-of-eight pattern.

29) What is Galvanic corrosion?

A) Galvanic Corrosion is an electrochemical process in which two or more metals or alloys are placed in
contact with one another inside the oral cavity, galvanic coupling may occur in the presence of saliva
(here it acts as electrolyte) which may lead to galvanic corrosion.

30) What is Crevice corrosion or Concentration cell corrosion?

A) It is the most common type of corrosion damage found on many older aircraft which have not been
adequately maintained. It is an aggressive form of corrosion that occurs locally inside cervices and other
shielded areas of metals exposed to corrosive fluid.

31) Cavosurface angle for amalgam is butt joint because?

A) For enamel strength, the marginal enamel rods should be supported by sound dentin. So the walls
prepared should result in 90° enamel walls that meet the placed amalgam at a butt joint.

32) Contribution of Innes and Youdelis?

A) In 1963, Innes and Youdelis introduced High Copper Content Amalgam Alloys to overcome the
inferior properties of Low Copper Amalgam Alloys. They increased copper content from 5% to 12%.

33) Different phases of amalgam setting?

A) Conventional Amalgam contains the following component phases :

★ γ phase (Ag3Sn) - Strongest phase

★ γ1 phase (Ag2Hg3) - Noblest phase
★ γ2 phase (Sn7-8Hg) - Weakest phase
★ Mercury phase with very small amount of unreacted residual mercury.
★ Interphase between the main components : γ - γ1, γ - γ2 & γ2 - γ. The closer & continuous they
are in final restoration, the better is the bonding. The resultant mass is more coherant &
resistant.

34) What is the function behind strength of amalgam?

A) Function behind strength of amalgam are:

❖ Zn brings down the oxidation of other alloys in the metal.

❖ Ag & In reduces creep & increases the strength.
❖ Pa reduces corrosion & tarnish, indirectly increases the strength.
❖ Cu & Ag mainly contributes in increasing the strength by decreasing the flow & increased setting
expansion.

35) Permissible limit of marginal discrepancy?

A) 20mm.

36) Preferred alloys for amalgam restorations by clinicians?

A) Clinicians use high copper alloys in more than 90% of the cases, the majority of which are the
spherical single conpositional or admixed typesdue to their high early strength, low creep, better
marginal adaptation, and good resistance to corrosion.

37) What is an amalgamator?

A) Amalgamator is a mechanical device used to mix silver alloy & mercury. It is pre-programmed to
vibrate for required number of seconds and can be used to mix alloy - mercury, GIC, etc. The material
has to be supplied in a preproportioned capsule that is fixed to the two arms in the device, which when
vibrated provides a uniform mix within seconds. Problem associated with manual proportioning,
dispensing, and handling can be avoided.

38) Commercially available forms of amalgam?

A) There are several different types of Amalgams, that include the following:

● Dental amalgam.
● Potassium amalgam.
● Sodium amalgam.
● Aluminium amalgam.
● Ammonium amalgam.

39) When do amalgam restorations give the best clinical service?

A) When the resudual mercury content is 48 - 52%.
40) ADA specification number of Amalgamators?

A) ADA specification number of Amalgamators is 43.

41) What is mulling?

A) Mulling is actually a continuation of trituration. It is mainly done to improve the homogeneity of the
mass, assure improved texture and achieve a single, consistent coherent mass.

42) Factors affecting trituration energy?

A) Factors affecting trituration energy are:

▪ Speed or the number of unit movements per unit time.

▪ Thrust of the movement.
▪ Weight of the capsule and/or the pestle.
▪ The time involved in trituration.
▪ The difference in size between a pestle (ball) and the capsule.
▪

43) Undertriturated mix appearance and features?

A) Undertriturated mix appears rough and grainy and may crumble easily. The mix remains plastic
longer, increasing the working time. It has more porosity and is low in strength and corrosion resistance.

44) Methods of condensation?

A) The methods of condensation are

o Hand Condensation.
o Mechanical Condensation.
o Ultrasonic Condensation.

45) What is amalgam cry?

A) A scraping or ringing that is heard during the carving of amalgam is known as Amalgam Cry.
46) Which instrument is used in inaccessible areas such as proximal surfaces of the restoration?
A) Beavertail burnisher.

47) What scale is used to describe the severity of marginal defects?

A) Mahler Scale is used to describe the severity of marginal defects.

48) What happens when amalgam is heated above 80°C?

A) Higher mercury release may occur if the amalgam is heated above 80° C.

49) What are the alternatives to mercury containing alloys?

A) Gallium Alloys are the alternatives to mercury containing alloys.

50) Which phase in dental amalgam is responsible for corrosion process?

A) Gamma 2 phase (Sn7-8Hg) in dental amalgam is responsible for corrosion process.

51) What is stress corrosion and what does it contribute to?

A) Stress corrosion is a complex form of corrosion that occurs when brittle cracks develop in the small
surface irregularities (such as notches or pits) due to the combined effects of tensile stresses (bending or
stretching stress) and corrosion. It contributes to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC).

52) Reasons for the diminished use of amalgam over the years?
A) Due to poor esthetics, tarnish and corrosion and mercury toxicity.

53) What are pin retained amalgam restorations?

A) They are defined as amalgam restoration requiring the placement of one or more pins in the dentin
to provide adequate resistance and retention forms.

54) Who introduced Gallium Alloys?

A) In 1928, Puttkammer introduced Gallium Alloys.
55) What is the need for Gallium alloys?
A) To replace mercury in amalgam.

56) Composition of Gallium Alloys?

A) Alloy :

⮚ Silver(60.5%)
⮚ Tin (24.5%)
⮚ Copper (12.3%)
⮚ Palladium (2.7%)

Liquid :

⮚ Gallium (65%)
⮚ Indium(19%)
⮚ Tin (16%).

57) Advantages of Ga Alloys?

A) 1. Negligible creep values

2. Adequate compressive strength

3. Good wear resistance

4. Sets early.

58) Disadvantages of Ga Alloys?

A) 1. Postoperative sensitivity

2. Difficult to manipulate

3. Low resistance to corrosion

4. High cost.
59) What are bonded amalgam restorations and what are they needed for?
A) To improve the adhesion of amalgam to enamel and dentin ,to reduce microleakage and to reinforce
the tooth structure.

60) Commercially available bonded amalgam restorations?

A) Metabond C and B, Panavia 21, All bond 2.

61) Indications of Bonded Amalgam Agents?

A) 1. Posterior teeth with extensive caries.

2. Teeth with low gingivo -occlusal height.

3. Core for cast crown restorations.

62) Melting and Boiling points of Gallium Alloys?

A) 24.78°C, 1983°C.

63) Advantages of Ga Alloys?

A) 1. Negligible creep values

2. Adequate compressive strength

3. Good wear resistance

4. Sets early.

64) Disadvantages of Ga Alloys?

A) 1. Postoperative sensitivity

2. Difficult to manipulate

3. Low resistance to corrosion

4. High cost.

65) Why are Ga alloys preferred over amalgam?

A) Due to superior mechanical properties and adhesion to enamel than amalgam.
66) What is Dental Amalgam?
A) It is an alloy made by mixing with silver tin alloys to which variable amts of copper and a small
amount of zinc are added.

67) What is ADA specification number for Amalgam?

A) The ADA specification number for Amalgam is 1.

68) Who is the Father of Amalgam?

A) Louis Regnart.

69) 1st Amalgam war?

A) In 1845, by American Society of Dental Surgeons.

70) 3rd Amalgam war?

A) In 1980, by Hal Huggins.

71) What is bell's putty?

A) Mercury initially has a putty like consistency which later hardens like a metal. Discovered actually by
Charles Bell.

72) What did Auguste Taeveau introduce?

A) He introduced silver-mercury amalgam in France as "Silver paste-mercury" mixture.

73) What is the True Dental Alloy and who introduced it?
A) First commercial alloy rich in silver and copper. Introduced by S. S White.

74) Who introduced Royal mineral Succedaneum?

A) Crawcour Brothers in North America.
75) What is Louis Regnart credited for?

A) For lowering the temperature of D'Arcet's mineral cement by adding more mercury to it.

76) In which year was the safety of dental amalgam as a restorative material proved in the media?
A) On May 13th 1997.

77) What is the contribution of WHO in Dental Amalgam?

A) Committed work toward reduction of mercury in dental amalgam due to it's toxic ill effects.

78) What did United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) formulate?

A) A global, legally binding treaty "Minamata convention on mercury".

79) Classification of dental amalgam?

A) 1. According to content:

✔ Copper amalgam
✔ Silver amalgam
✔ Preamalgamated alloys
✔ Amalgam with noble metals.

2. According to copper content :

✔ Low copper alloy

✔ High copper alloy

3. According to the presence of zinc :

✔ Zinc containing
✔ Non Zinc containing

4.According to number of alloy metals :

✔ Binary alloys (Ag-Sn)

✔ Ternary alloys (Ag-Sn-Cu)
✔ Quaternary alloys (Ag-Sn-Cu-In)

5. According to powder's particle size

✔ Micro cut
 ✔ Fine cut
✔ Coarse cut

80) Additional classification of amalgam based on generations?

A) 1st generation : 3 parts silver, 1 part tin

2nd generation : 3 parts silver, 1 part tin, 4% copper and 1% zinc

3rd generation : 1st generation + spherical-copper euthetic alloy

4th generation : Ternary alloy

5th generation : Quaternary alloy

6th generation : Euthetic alloy blended with any of the generation.

81) Who gave the classification of amalgam and in which year?

A) Marzouk, 1997.

82) What is peritectic alloy?

A) 1st generation amalgam(G.V.Black) - 3 parts Silver + 1 part Tin.

83) Who described mercury as "Liquid Silver"?

A) Aristotle.

84) What is Floridated Amalgam?

A) Incorporation of fluorine into amalgam is called flouridated amalgam.

85) Which solution is used to keep the surface of silver alloys particles clean?
A) Fluroboric acid solution is used ton keep the surface of the silver alloy particles.

86) Amalgam blues?

A) Amalgam blues are also known as. Amalgam tattoo. Amalgam tattoo is a grey, blue or black area of
discoloration on the mucous membranes of the mouth, typically on the gums of the lower jaw. It is a
healthcare caused lesion, due to entry of dental amalgam into the soft tissues. It is common, painless,
and benign, but it can be mistaken for melanoma.

87) Why is base necessary under amalgam restorations?

A) Since amalgam is a good conductor of electricity it may pass the galvanic shock to the pulp. So base is
used to prevent it.

88) Why is mechanically retention necessary?

A) Since amalgam does not bond to tooth structure.

89) Why does amalgam have poor esthetics?

A) Unnatural appearance as the tooth color differs from the Restoration.

90) Which restorative material is used for permanently restoring class 1,2 or 5?
A) Silver Amalgam.

91) What is compressive strength of amalgam?

A) Amalgam has Compressive Strength (510Mpa).

92) What is the tensile strength of amalgam?

A) Amalgam has Low Tensile Strength (48 to 70 Mpa ).

93) What acts as a slow release device?

A) Flouridated amalgam is the 'slow release device'.

94) Why is extensive tooth preparation required for amalgam?

A) Due to its poor edge strength.
95) What is eutectic alloy?
A) Eutectic alloys are those which exhibit complete liquid solubility but limited solid solubility. Eg.:
silver-copper.

96) What is the composition of amalgam?

A) Low Cu Amalgam alloys :

● silver :63% - 70%

● Tin : 26% - 28%
● Copper : 2% - 5%
● Zinc : 0% - 2%

High Cu Amalgam alloys :

Admixed Alloy Powder :

● Silver : 69%
● Tin : 17%
● Copper : 13%
● Zinc : 1%

Single compositional Alloys :

Ternary alloy in spherical form

● Silver : 60%
● Tin : 25%
● Copper : 15%

Quaternary alloy in spherical form

● Silver : 59%
● Tin : 24%
● Copper : 13%
● Indium : 4%.

97) Major component of amalgam and what is its function?

A) Silveris the major component. It increases setting expansion, decreases flow and creep, provides
resistance to tarnish & corrosion.
98) What is conventional amalgam alloy?
A) Conventional amalgam alloy are low copper alloys (G.V.Black’s Silver-Tin alloy).

99) 2nd Amalgam war?

A) In 1926, by Alfred Stock.

100) Second largest component of amalgam and its function?

A) Tin is the second largest component of amalagam. It controls rate of reaction , decreases the
strength, reduces resistance to tarnish & corrosion.

101) What function do Noble metals have in amalgam?

A) To reduce creep, increase strength and improve handling properties.

102) What is delayed expansion?

A) When certain Zinc containing compound get contaminated by moisture during manipulation result
in delayed expansion.

103) Composition of low copper alloys?

A) Low Cu Amalgam alloys :

silver :63% - 70%

Tin : 26% - 28%
Copper : 2% - 5%
Zinc : 0% - 2%

104) Composition of high copper alloys?

A) High Cu Amalgam alloys :

Admixed Alloy Powder :

Silver : 69%
Tin : 17%
Copper : 13%
Zinc : 1%

Single compositional Alloys :

Ternary alloy in spherical form

Silver : 60%
Tin : 25%
Copper : 15%

Quaternary alloy in spherical form

Silver : 59%
Tin : 24%
Copper : 13%
Indium : 4%.

105) Why is admixed alloy also called as blended alloy?

A) Admixed alloys are also called as blended alloys, as they contain two parts by weight of lathe-cut
particles and one part by weight of spherical silver-copper eutectic alloy (71.9% Ag and 28.1% Cu,
approximately).

106) What are pre-amalgamated alloys?

A) In these, the surface of the alloy particles is treated with mercury by the manufacturer for rapid
amalgamation after trituration to make precompacted pellets.

107) Explain the reactions occuring during formation of pre-amalgamated alloys?

A) Mercury is incorporated into the alloy by treating with mercuric chloride. It is then treated with
acids, to remove the chloride content. In this process, along with chloride, zinc also gets eliminated.
Preamalgamated alloys contain upto 35% mercury.

108) Who introduced high copper alloys?

A) In 1963, Innes and Youdelis introduced High Copper Content Amalgam Alloys to overcome the
inferior properties of Low Copper Amalgam Alloys. They increased copper content from 5% to 12%.

109) What are G.V.Black's standardized formulations?

A) G.V. Black's standardized formulations in amalgam - 68.5% silver, 25.5% tin, 5% gold, 1% Zinc.
110) What is true dental alloy?
A) First commercial alloy rich in silver and copper namely 'true dental alloy' was introduced by
S.S.White in 1900.

111) Factors controlling quality of dental amalgam?

A) Factors controlling quality of dental amalgam are -

a. Factors under control of manufacturer.

b. Factors under control of operator.

112) What are the factors under control of the dental operator?
A) Factors under control of operator are-

a. Selection of the alloy.

b. Mercury:alloy ratio.
c. Dispensing of mercury:alloy ratio, whether volumetric dispenser or preproportioned capsules.
d. Trituration procedure, Hand or mechanical.
e. Condensation technique.
f. Marginal integrity.
g. Final finishing.

113) Which permanent restorative material is widely used?

A) Silver Amalgam.

114) What is the average lifespan of a properly restored amalgam restoration?

A) Average lifespan is 5-12years or 10-12 years.

115) What does the clinical success of amalgam restoration depend on?
A) The clinical success of amalgam restoration depends upon proper cavity design and correct
manipulation of the alloy.Its advantageous because of relatively low cost, low technique sensitivity, high
compressive strength, and good wear resistance contribute to its success.
116) The cavosurface angle should be close to what in amalgam?
A) The cavosurface angle should be close to 90° in Amalgam.

117) What is secondary or recurrent caries?

A) It is a primary caries lesion next to pre-existing filling , when limited to the immediate area of
margin the caries can be removed and repair restoration can be placed. (OR) caries development in
previously restored tooth.

118) What is marginal fracture or marginal ditching?

A) Marginal ditching refers to breakage of a thin edge of a restoration creating an irregular V-shaped
crevice.

119) What is marginal ridge incompatibility?

A) Marginal ridges of a restoration must be at same height as the adjacent teeth . If not it can lead to
pure tissue health due to food impaction and patients inability of floss. It's one of the reasons for failure
of Amalgam restoration.

120) What is poor contouring?

A) Tooth reshaping is nothing but contouring. So poor contouring is one of the failures of amalgam
restoration.

121) Reasons for failure of amalgam restorations?

A) Reasons for failure of Amalgam Restorations are -

a. Improper case selection.

b. Improper cavity preparation.

c. Improper manipulation of amalgam.

d. Improper isolation and matricing.

122) What is meant by matricing?
A) Matricing is the procedure whereby a temporary wall is created opposite to axial walls , surrounding
areas of the tooth structure that were lost during the cavity preparation.

123) How many sided wall is highly essential for effective condensation?
A) For effective condensation , four - wall support is highly essential.

124) What are the modes of failure of amalgam restorations?

A) 1 - bulk fracture(4.6%)

2 - tooth fracture(1.9%)

3 - marginal ridge fracture(1.3%).

125) What are trituration procedures?

A) Hand or Mechanical procedures.

126) What is condensation?

A) Condensation can be described as method of packing amalgam mix in its plastic state into the
prepared cavity so as to achieve greatest possible density of the material when set. It is one of the
important steps in amalgam restoration.

127) High copper amalgam has compressive strength equivalent to which part of the tooth?
A) High copper amalgams have compressive strengths that range from 380 - 550Mpa and are similar to
that of enamel and dentin.

128) What kind of corrosion produces a black film of Ag-S tarnish?

A) Chemical corrosion on occlusal surface produces a black film of Ag-S tarnish.

129) Regions within amalgam that are under stress undergo which type of corrosion?
A) Regions within amalgam that are under stress undergo stress corrosion.
130) Linear coefficient of thermal expansion of amalgam is how many times greater than that of the
tooth?
A) Linear coefficient of thermal expansion of amalgam is 2.5 times greater than that of tooth structure.

131) Mercuroscopic expansion was proposed by?

A) Mercuroscopic expansion was proposed by Jorgensen.

132) Mercuroscopic expansion was originally proposed to explain the prevalance of?
A) Mercuroscopic expansion was proposed to explain the prevalence of marginal fractures associated
with occlusal amalgams.

133) What is the most common evidence of degradation of low copper amalgam?
A) The most common evidence of degradation of low copper amalgam is marginal fracture.

134) How is the rate of corrosion related to the self sealing ability?
A) Since amalgam does not bond to tooth the corrosion products seal the amalgam - tooth interface .
The rate of corrosion is more in low copper amalgam , so it's self sealing ability is more than high copper.

135) High creep rates are associated with which phase in low copper alloys?
A) Gamma 2 phase (Sn7-8Hg).

136) What is depth of corrosion?

A) 100-500micrometers.

137) More rapid sealing is contributed by?

A) Corrosion products.
138) What percent of strength is lost when temperature is increased to 60°C?
A) 50%.

139) Excessive expansion of amalgam can affect which part of the tooth?
A) Excessive expansion of amalgam can produce pressure on the pulp and post operative sensitivity.

140) The limit of contraction or expansion of mercury is set at?

A) According to ADA specification no. 1, amalgam should neither contract nor expand more than 20
um/cm, when measured at 37°C between 5 minutes and 24 hours after the beginning of trituration.

141) Excessive contraction of mercury can cause?

A) Microleakage,sensitivity, secondary caries.

142) In galvanic corrosion, amalgam acts like a/an ?

A) Amalgam acts like an anode causing corrosion.

143) Which property of saliva inhibits the process and provides protection against corrosion?
A) Phosphate buffering capacity of saliva provides protection against corrosion.

144) What results in amalgam to creep and expand in delayed expansion ?

A) Gamma 1 phase in high copper alloys, gamma 2 phase in low copper alloy results in creep whereas
zn results in delayed expansion.

145) Contamination during which stages causes expansion to occur during delayed expansion?
A) Manipulation.

146) What is the corrosion product formed from tin in gamma 2 phase?
A) Cu6Sn5 phase.
147) What is an ingot?
A) The various components of the amalgam alloy are combined together by melting resulting in the
formation of a block called ingot.

148) What are the phases formed after cooling an ingot?

A) Phases formed after cooling an ingot are gamma (Ag3Sn), and little amounts of Epsilon (Cu3Sn),
eta(Cu6Sn5), beta(Ag4Sn).

149) Measurements of an ingot?

A) 3-4cm in diameter, 20-30cm in length.

150) What is atomisation?

A) All the metallic ingredients are melted together to form the desired alloy. The liquid alloy is sprayed
into large chamber through a very fine crack in a crucible under high pressure of an inert gas.

151) Particle sizes of spherical and lathe cut alloys?

A) Spherical particle size 15-35 micrometers, lathecut are irregular particlar size.

152) What is Amalgamation?

A) The process of reaction and setting when mercury is mixed or amalgamated with an alloy.

153) What is the time period of trituration?

A) 3-30 sec.

154) Importance of Trituration?

A) Tituration

▪ Removes oxide layer of particles.

▪ Pulverises pallets into particles.
▪ Reduce particle size.
▪ Keep the amount of gamma 1 and gamma 1 matrix crystal as minimal as possible.
 ▪ Provide proper amalgamation and achieve a workable mix amalgam within a short time.

155) What is the strongest phase in amalgam?

A) Gamma phase (Ag3Sn).

156) Which is the noblest phase of amalgam?

A) Gamma 1 (Ag2Hg3).

157) What is the process of formation of spherical particles?

A) Atomisation.

158) Solubility of mercury for silver and tin?

A) Mercury has a limited solubility for silver (0.035 wt%) as compared to tin (0.6 wt%).

159) Why is γ2 phase eliminated in high copper admixed alloys?

A) As γ2 phase is weakest phase and prone to corrosion and creep, it is eliminated.

160) Which phase replaces γ2 in reactions?

A) Eta phase (Cu6Sn5).