Amalgam

amalgam /amal·gam/ (ah-mal´gam) an alloy of two or more metals, one of which is mercury.

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a·mal·gam (-mlgm)

n.

Any of various alloys of mercury with other metals, as with tin or silver, used for filling teeth.

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Amalgam

A mixture (alloy) of silver and several other metals, used by dentists to make fillings for cavities.

Mentioned in: Tooth Decay

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amalgam (mal´gm),

n (dental amalgam alloy), an alloy, one of the constituents of which is mercury.

amalgam, bonded,

n 1. a composite of tooth-colored acrylic resin and finely ground glass-like particles that is bonded or adhered to the tooth during dental restoration. The advantage is that less of the tooth structure needs to be removed during the restoration, resulting in a smaller filling compared with traditional amalgams.
2. a composite filling.

amalgam carrier,

n See carrier, amalgam.

amalgam carver,

n See carver, amalgam.

amalgam condenser,

n See condenser, amalgam.

amalgam, copper,

n an alloy composed principally of copper and mercury. See also amalgam.

amalgam, dental,

n an amalgam used for dental restorations and dyes.

amalgam matrix,

n See matrix, amalgam.

amalgam pigmentation,

n See amalgam tattoo.

amalgam plugger,

n See condenser, amalgam.

amalgam, silver,

n a dental amalgam, the main constituent of which is silver. The ADA composition specifications are as follows: silver, 65% minimum; tin, 25% minimum; copper, 6% maximum; zinc, 2% maximum.

amalgam squeeze cloth,

n a piece of linen used to hold plastic amalgam from which excess mercury is to be squeezed. Used with hand trituration.

amalgam tattoo,

n a solitary discrete gray, blue, or black discoloration of tissue usually located in the gingiva, alveolar ridge, or buccal mucosa caused by small amounts of dental amalgam that became embedded under the surface. The asymptomatic lesion is static and requires no treatment. If doubt exists about the lesion or if the lesion is unsightly, excisional biopsy is recommended.

Amalgam tattoo.

amalgam well,

n a small, bowl-shaped container that holds mixed amalgam prior to its being loaded into the amalgam carrier.

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amalgam

a silver-tin-copper alloy in combination with mercury, commonly used in dental restoration.

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amalgam burnisher

an instrument used to smooth the surface of an amalgam filling.

amalgam condenser, amalgam plugger

an instrument used to pack amalgam into a filling.

amalgam well

a small bowl used to hold amalgam until it is used in the restoration.

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amalgam Dental amalgam Dentistry A silver-copper-tin alloy with varying amounts of mercury to fill carious teeth. See Biological dentistry, Cremation, Fluoridation, Mercury.