INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

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What element in amalgam makes it expand?

Silver
Copper
Tin
Mercury

The correct answer is: Tin

Amalgam is a type of alloy that is commonly used in dentistry. It is made up of two or more metals, one of which is usually mercury. When tin is added to the amalgam, it causes the amalgam to expand. This is because tin has a lower melting point compared to other metals in the alloy, which means it will expand more when heated. Silver and copper can also be added to amalgam, but they do not have the same expansion effect as tin. Mercury is the key ingredient that binds the other metals together, but it does not contribute to the expansion of amalgam. Therefore, the only element that makes amalgam expand is tin.