AMALGAM

Silver (Ag)
increases strength
increases expansion
Tin (Sn)
decreases expansion
decreased strength
increases setting time
Copper (Cu)
ties up tin
reducing gamma-2 formation
increases strength
reduces tarnish and corrosion
reduces creep
reduces marginal deterioration
Mercury (Hg)
activates reaction
only pure metal that is liquid
at room temperature
spherical alloys
require less mercury
smaller surface area easier to wet
40 to 45% Hg
admixed alloys
require more mercury
lathe-cut particles more difficult to wet
45 to 50% Hg
Zinc (Zn)
used in manufacturing
decreases oxidation of other elements
sacrificial anode
provides better clinical performance
less marginal breakdown
Osborne JW Am J Dent 1992
causes delayed expansion with low Cu alloys
if contaminated with moisture during condensation

As a restorative material, dental amalgam has a large number of advantages:

is durable-
has a good long-term clinical performance-
can often be repaired-
of all restorative materials, is least sensitive technique-
if placed under ideal condition can be long lasting-
can be applicable to a broad rance of clinical situations-
the dentist can easily manipulate it-
is economical-
compared with other materials, there is minimal placement time-
 the newer formulations have greater long-term resistance to surface corrosion

However, as a restorative material, dental amalgam also has disadvantages:-

it has poor esthetic qualities-
potential of local allergic-
there is some destruction of sound tooth tissue-
there is concern about the possible mercury toxicity-
ditching leading to replacement may result from long-term corrosion at tooth-
restoration-
marginal-
galvanic response potential exists