INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

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What contributes to the plasticity of amalgam?

Tin
Silver
Copper
Zinc

The correct answer is: Zinc

Zinc contributes to the plasticity of amalgam. When zinc is added to dental amalgam, it forms a eutectic phase with mercury that helps control the setting expansion of the amalgam and also contributes to the flow and condensation properties of the material during placement. Tin, silver, and copper are also components of dental amalgam but do not directly contribute to its plasticity in the same way that zinc does.