SILVER AMALGAM

Q. Discuss the types, physical properties and uses of

dental amalgam alloys. Add a note on high copper alloys.
TYPES OF AMALGAM ALLOYS:
1. Based on copper content
• Low copper alloys
Contain less than 6% copper
(conventional alloys)
• High copper alloys
Contain more than 6% copper
a. Admixed or dispersion or blended alloys
b. Single composition or unicomposition alloys
2. Based on zinc content
• Zinc-containing alloys (Contain more than 0.01% zinc)
• Zinc-free alloys (Contain less than 0.01% zinc)
3. Based on shape of the alloy particle
a. Lathe-cut alloys(irregular shape)
b. Spherical alloys
c. Spheroidal alloys
4. Based on number of alloyed metals
d. Binary alloys (silver–tin)
e. Ternary alloys (silver–tin–copper)
f. Quaternary alloys (silver–tin–copper–indium)
5. Based on size of alloy
g. Microcut alloy
h. Macrocut alloy
PROPERTIES OF AMALGAM:
Microleakage
1. Dental amalgam has tendency to minimize marginal leakage.
2. It is a self-sealing material. The small amount of leakage under amalgam restorations is
unique. The leakage decreases as the restoration ages in the mouth due to the corrosion
products that is formed in the tooth-restoration interface. These products over a period of time
seal the interface and thereby prevent leakage. Thus amalgam is a self-sealing restoration.
Dimensional Change
1. Amalgam may expand or contract, depending on its manipulation. Ideally, dimensional
change should be small.
2. Measurement of dimensional change: ADA Specification No. 1 requires that amalgam
should not expand or contract more than 20 μm/cm at 37°C, between 5 min and 24 h from the
beginning of trituration.
Strength
Hardened amalgams have good compressive strength.

Compressive strength 1h 7 days

Low copper 145 Mpa 343 Mpa
Admixed 137 Mpa 431 Mpa
Single composition 262 Mpa 510 Mpa
Tensile Strength
1. Amalgam cannot withstand high tensile or bending stresses.
2. The cavity design should be such that the restoration will receive compression forces and
minimize tension or shear forces in service.
3. The tensile strength is 48–70 MPa.
Creep
1. Creep is defined as a time-dependent plastic deformation.
2. Creep of dental amalgam is a slow progressive permanent deformation of set amalgam,
which occurs under constant stress (static creep) or intermittent stress (dynamic creep).
Creep values
Low copper amalgam 0.8–8%
High copper amalgam 0.4–0.1%

Retention of Amalgam
1. Amalgam does not adhere to tooth structure.
2. Rather retention of the amalgam filling is obtained through mechanical locking. This is
achieved by proper cavity design.
3. Additional retention if needed can be obtained by placing pins within the cavity.
Tarnish and Corrosion
Amalgam restorations often tarnish and corrode in the mouth.
HIGH COPPER ALLOYS
1. High copper alloys contain more than 6 wt% copper.
2. The weakest g2 phase is eliminated in high copper amalgam.
3. They are preferred because of their improved mechanical properties, resistance to corrosion and better
marginal integrity.
4. Types of high copper alloys are as follows:
a. Admixed alloy powder.
b. Single-composition alloy powder.
ADMIXED ALLOY POWDER:
1. The overall composition of admixed alloy powder is as
follows:
Silver 69%
Tin 17%
Copper 13%
Zinc 1%
2. The total copper content ranges from 9 to 20 wt% in admixed alloy powder which usually
contains 30–55 wt% spherical high copper powder.
3. Setting Reaction
a. Silver enters the mercury from the silver–copper eutectic alloy particles, and both silver and
tin enter the mercury from the silver–tin alloy particles. The mercury dissolved in the silver–tin
particles will react like low copper alloys and will form the g1 and g2 phases,
leaving some silver–tin particles unreacted.
b. The newly formed g2 phase (Sn8Hg) will react with silver–copper particles forming Cu6Sn5
(g or eta) phase. Some g1 phase (Ag2Hg3) will also form around the silver–copper particles.
4. The reaction may be shown as follows:
Ag3Sn+ Ag2Cu+Hg Ag2Hg3+ Sn8Hg+Ag3Sn (Unreacted)+Ag–Cu (unreacted)
(g) (eutectic) (g1) (g2) (g) (eutectic)
and later,
Sn6Hg + Ag–Cu Cu6Sn5 + Ag2Hg3
(g2) (eutectic) (h) (g1)
In the above reaction, g 2 has been eliminated and is replaced by g phase. To accomplish this,
it is necessary to have a net copper content of at least 12% in the alloy powder.
Microstructure of Set Amalgam
The Cu6Sn5 is present surrounding as a halo around the Ag–Cu particles.
Final set material consists of the following:
Core
• Unreacted Ag3Sn(g phase) and
• Unreacted Ag–Cu surrounded by Cu6Sn5 (n)
Matrix
• g 1 phase is (Ag2Hg3)
SINGLE-COMPOSITION ALLOYS
In single-composition alloy, each particle of the alloy powder has the same composition.
Therefore, they are called single-composition or unicompositional alloys.
Composition:
Silver 40-60%
Tin 22–30%
Copper 13–30%
Zinc 0–4%
Indium or palladium small amounts.
Setting Reaction:
When triturated, silver and tin from Ag–Sn phases dissolve in mercury. Very little copper
dissolves in mercury. The Ag2–Hg3 (g1) crystals grow forming a matrix that binds together the
partially dissolved alloy particles. Later, Cu6– Sn5 (n) crystals are formed at the surface of
alloy particles.
The overall reaction is as below:
AgSnCu + Hg Cu6Sn5 + Ag2Hg3 + AgSnCu
(g + E) (n) (g 1) (unreacted)
The difference between the elimination of the g2 phase in an admixed and unicompositional
alloy is that, in the admixed type the g 2 forms around the silver–tin (lathe-cut) particles and
is eliminated around the silver–copper (spherical) particles. In unicompositional alloy, the
particles at the beginning of the reaction function like silver–tin particles of the admixed
type, and later the same particles function like the silver–copper particles of the admixed
type, eliminating g2 phase.
Applications (Uses)
1. As a permanent filling material in class I and class II cavities, and class V cavities where
aesthetics is not important
2. In combination with retentive pins to restore a crown
3. For making dyes
4. In retrograde root canal fillings
5. As a core material
Q. Classify dental amalgam alloys and state various merits and demerits of dental amalgam.
The merits of dental amalgam restorations are as follows:
1. They are reasonably easy to insert.
2. They are not overly technique-sensitive.
3. They maintain anatomic form well.
4. They have adequate resistance to fracture.
5. They prevent marginal leakage after a period of time.
6. They have reasonably long service life.
The demerits of dental amalgam restorations are as follows:
1. The colour does not match tooth structure.
2. They are more brittle and less tough than desirable.
3. They are subject to corrosion and galvanic action.
4. They eventually show marginal breakdown.
5. They do not bond to tooth structure.
Q. Give the composition of dental amalgam alloy. Write various stages of manipulation of
amalgam alloy.
1. Amalgam alloys contain at least
a. 65 wt% silver,
b. 29 wt% tin and
c. less than 6 wt% copper.
2. A composition close to that recommended by GV Black in 1896. During the 1970s many
amalgam alloys having an increased copper between 6 and 30 wt% were developed. These
high copper alloys produce amalgams that are superior in many respects to the traditional low
copper amalgams.
3. American Dental Association (ADA) Specification No. 1 requires that amalgam alloys be
predominantly silver and tin.
4. Alloys containing zinc in excess of 0.01% are designated as zinc-containing. Those alloys
containing zinc equal to or less than 0.01% are designated as nonzinc or zinc-free alloys. There
is no specification for low copper or high copper alloys.
STAGES OF MANIPULATION OF AMALGAM ALLOY
1. Selection of Materials
1. Alloys for amalgam should be selected from products certified to meet or exceed the
properties listed in ADA Specification No. 1 for dental amalgam alloys.
2. There is only one requisite for selection of dental mercury, that is its purity.
3. The delivery system provided by the manufacturer is convenient, expedient and capable of
reducing human errors or variables.
4. Pre-proportioned capsules containing alloy particles and mercury in compartments
separated by a membrane are available, before use, the membrane is ruptured by compression
of the capsule and the capsule is then placed in a mechanical amalgamator.
2. Mercury: Alloy Ratio (Proportioning)
The better method of reducing the mercury content is to reduce the original mercury:alloy
ratio. This method is known as the minimal mercury or the Eames technique (mercury: alloy
1:1).
3. Trituration
a. The main objective of trituration is to wet all of the surfaces of the alloy particles with mercury.
b. Trituration is achieved either by hand or more commonly by mechanical amalgamators.
i. Hand mixing: A glass mortar and the pestle are used.
ii. Mechanical trituration: Mechanical amalgamators are used to triturate.
c. With a mechanical amalgamator the mixing time is reduced and the procedure is more readily
standardized. The amalgamators have automatic timer and speed control device.
4. Mulling
a. Mulling is actually continuation of trituration. It is done to improve the homogeneity of the
mass and get a consistent mix.
5. Condensation
a. The amalgam is placed in the cavity after trituration, and force is applied to the amalgam using
suitable instruments in order to adapt it to the cavity wall.
b. Remove excess mercury.
c. Enhance packing of amalgam and reduce the risk of void formation. This increases the strength
and decreases the creep of the amalgam. Condensation can be effected manually or mechanically.
6. Trimming and Carving
a. After the amalgam is overfilled into the prepared cavity, the mercury rich layer can be trimmed
away and filling is carved to reproduce the proper tooth anatomy.
b. The carving should not be started until the amalgam is hard enough to offer resistance to the
carving instrument.
c. Amalgam should be carved using sharp instruments with strokes proceeding from tooth
surface to amalgam surface.
7. Burnishing
1. After the carving, the restoration should be smoothened by burnishing the surface and the
margins of the restoration.
2. Burnishing of the occlusal anatomy can be done by using a ball burnisher with light stroke
proceeding from the amalgam surface to the tooth surface.
3. More pressure should not be applied and heat generation should be avoided during burnishing.
4. If the temperature rises above 60°C, it causes release of mercury, which will accelerate
corrosion and fracture at margins. Final smoothing can be done by rubbing the surface with a
moist cotton pellet or by a rubber polishing cup and polishing paste.
8. Polishing
1. The objective of finishing and polishing is the removal of superficial scratches and
irregularities.
2. This minimizes corrosion and prevents adherence of plaque.
3. The polishing should be delayed for at least 24 h after condensation, or preferably longer.
4. Wet polishing is advised, so a wet abrasive in a paste form is used. Dry polishing powders
and disks can raise the temperature above 60°C.