Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol 7, 12-22, Copyright © 1996 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Setting reactions in dental amalgam. Part 1. Phases and microstructures between one hour and one week
R. J. Mitchell and T. Okabe
Department of Oral Health Science, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Lexington 40536-0084, USA.
The literature on the setting mechanisms of dental amalgams made from
powders of silver-rich alloys of tin and/or copper has been critically
reviewed. In Part 1 of the review, the microstructure and phase content of
recently set amalgams are described. The composition, morphology, and
location of product phases are emphasized, since these features are clues
to the setting reaction. Thus, Part 1 provides the background needed to
understand the kinetics of the setting reactions, which is the topic of
Part 2 of the review.
