Amalgam

Amalgam refers to any alloy of mercury, which can occur naturally or be synthesized. It forms alloys with most metals except iron, tungsten, tantalum, and platinum. Common uses include dentistry, gold extraction, and chemistry. Amalgamation typically involves an exothermic process, resulting in various structural forms such as hexagonal shapes.

Understanding Dental Amalgam Fillings:

Mercury is a metal found in both pure and combined forms, with organic compounds being the most toxic. Dental amalgam, composed of 50% elemental mercury and an alloy of silver and tin, is commonly used in dentistry. Modern dental practices utilize sealed capsules containing separate compartments for liquid mercury and alloy, which are mixed mechanically to minimize exposure to mercury vapours. After placement in a tooth cavity, the amalgam hardens quickly, though some residual mercury continues to react slowly within the filling.

Types of Dental Amalgam:

Dental amalgam: Dental Amalgam Alloy Powder and Dental Amalgam Capsules are widely used in dentistry for fillings, is valued for its ease of shaping and cost-effectiveness. Typically composed of mercury and silver, it can also contain metals like indium, copper, tin, or zinc. While historically stronger than composite resins, modern resins now offer comparable durability, particularly for teeth subjected to wear.

Silver and Gold: Dental Mercury plays a crucial role in the extraction of silver and gold from their ores, as these metals readily form amalgams with it. Various methods, such as the patio process and retorting, have historically been employed for this purpose. However, due to environmental concerns, alternative extraction methods have been developed, as the release of mercury vapor during retorting poses significant environmental risks.

Other Amalgam: In addition to traditional metal combinations, various other substances can form amalgams with mercury, serving diverse purposes in different fields. For instance, tin amalgam was historically utilized as a reflective coating for mirrors, while zinc amalgam finds applications in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry processes like the Clemmensen Reduction and Jones reductor, respectively. Sodium amalgam serves as a versatile reducing agent,...