Dental amalgam was first used by chinese.In western world amalgam was introduced in 1800. Amalgam became popular filling material after invention of GV black principles of tooth preparation.
Amalgam contains Mercury and an Alloy
Despite of many controversies regarding the use of mercury, Mercury is used in amalgam because it is the only metal which is liquid at room temperature and when it is mixed with metal or alloy due to difference in solubilities of metal (Silver Ag is less soluble than tin Sn so gamma phase precipitates out first) in mercury. Crystals starts precipitating and at that time liquid mercury exist with solid crystals and the mixture has plastic consistency which can be condensed in cavity and when it sets becomes hard.
Dental amalgam alloy can be classified according to copper content and according to particle size.
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