This high-yield revision note on Dental Amalgam vs Composite: Composition, Setting Reaction & Biocompatibility covers everything examiners typically test under Dental Materials — structured as quick-reference tables, clinical correlations, mnemonics and previous-year-style high-yield points. It's built for last-mile revision before NEET MDS, INI-CET MDS and INBDE, so you can scan it in minutes instead of re-reading a whole textbook chapter.
| Property | Amalgam | Composite Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Alloy powder (Ag-Sn-Cu) + mercury, triturated | Resin matrix (Bis-GMA/UDMA) + inorganic filler + coupling agent (silane) + initiator (camphorquinone) |
| Setting reaction | Trituration → Ag3Sn (γ) + Hg → gamma-1 (Ag2Hg3) + gamma-2 (Sn7Hg, weakest phase, corrodes) matrix | Free radical polymerization (light-cure: camphorquinone + blue light 468nm, or chemical/dual cure) |
| High copper amalgam | Eliminates/minimizes gamma-2 phase → less corrosion, better strength, marginal integrity | N/A |
| Polymerization shrinkage | Not applicable (no shrinkage issue of this kind) | Major drawback (2-3%), causes marginal microleakage - C-factor concept important |
| Biocompatibility concern | Mercury toxicity debate (minimal risk per WHO/FDI, being phased down - Minamata Convention) | Bis-GMA/BPA release concern (minimal, controversial), better esthetics, no mercury |
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