Most amalgam contains approximately what percentage of mercury?

Amalgam restorations, commonly used in dentistry for their durability and strength, typically consist of a combination of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and most importantly, mercury. The correct answer indicates that amalgam contains approximately 50-55% mercury. This range is critical as mercury serves to bind the other metals together, forming a stable mixture that hardens into a solid restoration when properly mixed and set.

Mercury in dental amalgam is often a point of discussion regarding safety and effectiveness. The percentage is regulated to ensure the material is both effective as a restorative option and safe for patient use. While technological advancements have led to the development of other restorative materials that do not contain mercury, understanding its composition in amalgam is crucial for EFDAs when evaluating and working with various dental materials.

In contrast, options stating lower percentages such as under 30% or 30-40% do not accurately reflect the standard formulation of amalgam. Likewise, the idea that amalgam would contain over 71% mercury is misleading and exceeds safe and effective usage levels established in dental practice.