Amalgam (dentistry)
Material used in dentistry for direct restorative procedures in the tooth / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In dentistry, amalgam is an alloy of mercury used to fill teeth cavities.[1] It is made by mixing a combination of liquid mercury and particles of solid metals such a silver, copper or tin. The amalgam is mixed by the dentist just before use. It remains soft for a short while after mixing, which facilitates it being snugly packed into the cavity and shaped before it sets hard.
Dental amalgams were first documented in a Tang dynasty medical text written by Su Gong (苏恭) in 659, and appeared in Germany in 1528.[2][3] In the 1800s, amalgam became the dental restorative material of choice due to its low cost, ease of application, strength, and durability.[4]