National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What component of amalgam contains the highest percentage by weight?

Silver
Mercury
Copper
Tin

The correct answer is: Mercury

In dental amalgam, mercury is the component that typically comprises the highest percentage by weight. Mercury acts as a binding agent that combines with the other metallic components, allowing the amalgam to set and harden. While silver, copper, and tin each contribute to the properties of amalgam — such as strength, corrosion resistance, and ductility — their proportions are usually less than that of mercury. The optimal use of mercury in amalgam formulations allows for good working characteristics and mechanical properties essential for dental restorations. Understanding the role of each component is crucial, as it affects the performance and reliability of the final restoration. For instance, excessive mercury can lead to inferior properties, while the balance of the other metals enhances the amalgam's physical qualities. Thus, recognizing the significance of mercury's proportion is essential for dental professionals.