| amalgam | <dentistry> A soft metal which results from an alloy of a metal with mercury. Commonly used as a silver-tin or copper alloy in dentistry for fillings. (08 Jan 1998) |
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| amalgam carrier | An instrument used to transport triturated amalgam to a cavity preparation and to deposit it therein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amalgam matrix | A device used during placement of the amalgam mass within a compound cavity preparation, facilitating proper condensation and contour thereof by providing a confining wall. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amalgam strip | A linen strip without abrasive used to smooth proximal contours of newly placed amalgam restorations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amalgam tattoo | A bluish-black or gray macular lesion of the oral mucous membrane caused by accidental implantation of silver amalgam into the tissue during tooth restoration or extraction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pin amalgam | An amalgam restoration held in place largely by small metal rods protruding from holes drilled into tooth structure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spherical amalgam | An alloy for dental amalgam composed of spherical particles instead of filings. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dental amalgam | <chemical, dentistry> An alloy used in restorative dentistry that contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and possibly zinc. Chemical name: Dental materials and fillings, amalgams (12 Dec 1998) |