Dental materials: amalgam: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Dental materials: amalgam

Sample item

Why is moisture contamination during placement particularly problematic for conventional dental amalgam?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. It can cause delayed expansion and reduced physical properties

Moisture contamination of conventional zinc-containing amalgam can generate hydrogen gas, causing delayed expansion and weakening the restoration. Good isolation is therefore important.

Option by option

  • A. It converts amalgam to composite resin

    Composite resin is a different restorative material.

  • B. It can cause delayed expansion and reduced physical properties (correct)

    Correct. Water-related hydrogen formation can lead to expansion and restoration failure.

  • C. It permanently whitens enamel

    Amalgam does not whiten enamel.

  • D. It eliminates corrosion completely

    Amalgam can undergo corrosion; moisture contamination does not eliminate it.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, It can cause delayed expansion and reduced physical properties. Moisture contamination of conventional zinc-containing amalgam can generate hydrogen gas, causing delayed expansion and weakening the restoration.

Why is "It converts amalgam to composite resin" not the answer?

Composite resin is a different restorative material.

Why is "It permanently whitens enamel" not the answer?

Amalgam does not whiten enamel.

Why is "It eliminates corrosion completely" not the answer?

Amalgam can undergo corrosion; moisture contamination does not eliminate it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials: amalgam in Dentistry. Good isolation is therefore important.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental materials: amalgam?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.