HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

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Enhance your HOSA Dental Terminology knowledge with our quiz. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, all with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam preparation!

Practice this question and more.

Which material is an alloy that contains mercury?

Gold
Amalgam
Composite
Resin

The correct answer is: Amalgam

Amalgam is the correct answer because it specifically refers to a dental material that is a mixture of metals with mercury. Dentists commonly use dental amalgam for filling cavities and repairing teeth due to its excellent durability and resistance to wear. The incorporation of mercury in amalgam facilitates the binding of metals such as silver, tin, and copper, resulting in a material that is strong and suitable for permanent dental restorations. Gold is a metal that can be used in dental work but does not contain mercury. Composite materials are made from a resin matrix combined with glass or quartz filler and do not involve mercury. Similarly, resin is a synthetic material used in making dental fillings and does not have mercury either. Therefore, amalgam is distinctly characterized by its mercury content among the options provided.