Amalgam Properties — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Amalgam corrodes, and its corrosion products help seal the tooth-restoration interface over time
Dental amalgam does not bond to tooth structure (retention is mechanical via cavity design). Over time, corrosion products (primarily tin and copper oxides) accumulate at the tooth-restoration interface, creating a self-sealing effect that reduces microleakage. This is one reason why older amalgam restorations often show less marginal leakage than new ones. Amalgam has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than tooth structure and does not release fluoride.
Reference: Anusavice – Phillips' Science of Dental Materials, 13th ed., 2022