DENTAL MATERIALS BOARD REVIEW UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
A dentist is packing an amalgam a 4yr old who is still not sitting still. The amalgam gets
contaminated w saliva while he is packing it. Which of following is the most likely to occur? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅delayed expansion of restoration
(principal cause of failure)
While assisting a dentist polishing an old amalgam, you are responsible for switching out the
polishing points. After using the brown point, which point should you hand dentist next? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅green
Brown- most abrasive
Green-finest
Your pt complains his gums bleed when he brushes and flosses in the spot where he got his new
filling. You suspect an amalgam overhang. Which of following would best assist the operator in
detecting an overhang? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅explorer
bitewings
Which of following dental amalgam is used to reduce corrosion and lessen marginal breakdown?
- CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅copper
The strongest phase of the set amalgam is - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Gamma (y)
this phase is ORIGINAL silver tin particles (unreacted powder)
Susan recently had a MOD amalgam placed on tooth #3. This tooth was temperature sensitive for
about a week and the sensitivity subsided. This temporary hypersensitivity was most likely due
to - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅pulpal hyperemia
,Dr. L is a new dentist who joined a practice w a lot of restorative work. She has been noticing
that many of her amalgam restorations come back as fractured. What is most likely cause for
failure in amalgams? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅manipulative techniques
proper alloy to mercury ratios
U are seeing 8yr old pt and discover obvious decay on multiple teeth. You recommend amalgam
restorations but the mother is concerned about the mercury in the silver fillings. You can let her
know that the final mercury content of a properly placed high copper amalgam restoration is -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅50% or less
Dr. G is about to perform restorative work on a pt. In which of the following cavity preparations
is the use of a wooden wedge necessary? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Class I, IV, V
To increase the strength of an amalgam, all of following must be done EXCEPT:
inc condensation pressure, inc particle size, inc trituration time, dec the voids - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅inc particle size
-a dec in particle size will increase compressive strength and decrease setting expansion
Dentist placed an amalgam filling in tooth #20. After getting home, you notice there is one
margin which is slightly off. How long should u wait before telling the dentist to polish the
restoration? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅24-48 hrs
Dentist placed amalgam filling on one of your back teeth. After numbness wears off, you notice
sensitivity when eating ice cream. Which characteristic of amalgam explains why this is most
common problem after amalgams? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅thermal insulation
(conduction)
(amalgam is a poor thermal insulator)
The amount of mercury remaining in dental amalgam after condensation directly affects all of
following EXCEPT:
porosity, compressive strength, corrosion resistance, galvanic corrosion, surface finish -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅galvanic corrosion (chemical rxn that occurs when dissimilar
metals are in contact)
, Which of following is main use of cavity varnish? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅used to seal
dentinal tubules
barrier against irritants
Which of following cements is best prepared by mixing on a cool glass slab - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅zinc phosphate
A pt has a questionable prognosis for a crown due to a history of high caries risk. In order to
reduce the likelihood of recurrent decay, which cement is best - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅glass ionomer
Water and heat accelerate the setting rxn ZOE cements.
Bc of sedative nature of ZOE cements, they do not require a protective varnish or cavity liner.
T/F - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅both TRUE
The pt has a large cleanout of a tooth with no exposure to pulp. No RCT indicated but since the
filling is so large, a crown is recommended. Which of following cements would be
contraindicated since it is most irritating to pulp? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc
phosphate
Which cement is chemically bonded to tooth - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc
polycarboxylate
glass ionomer
resins
Dentist asks u to order some Durelon cement from the dental sales rep for him. Salesman tells
you they do not have this specific bran. Which type of generic cement should you ask for? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc polycarboxylate
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
A dentist is packing an amalgam a 4yr old who is still not sitting still. The amalgam gets
contaminated w saliva while he is packing it. Which of following is the most likely to occur? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅delayed expansion of restoration
(principal cause of failure)
While assisting a dentist polishing an old amalgam, you are responsible for switching out the
polishing points. After using the brown point, which point should you hand dentist next? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅green
Brown- most abrasive
Green-finest
Your pt complains his gums bleed when he brushes and flosses in the spot where he got his new
filling. You suspect an amalgam overhang. Which of following would best assist the operator in
detecting an overhang? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅explorer
bitewings
Which of following dental amalgam is used to reduce corrosion and lessen marginal breakdown?
- CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅copper
The strongest phase of the set amalgam is - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Gamma (y)
this phase is ORIGINAL silver tin particles (unreacted powder)
Susan recently had a MOD amalgam placed on tooth #3. This tooth was temperature sensitive for
about a week and the sensitivity subsided. This temporary hypersensitivity was most likely due
to - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅pulpal hyperemia
,Dr. L is a new dentist who joined a practice w a lot of restorative work. She has been noticing
that many of her amalgam restorations come back as fractured. What is most likely cause for
failure in amalgams? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅manipulative techniques
proper alloy to mercury ratios
U are seeing 8yr old pt and discover obvious decay on multiple teeth. You recommend amalgam
restorations but the mother is concerned about the mercury in the silver fillings. You can let her
know that the final mercury content of a properly placed high copper amalgam restoration is -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅50% or less
Dr. G is about to perform restorative work on a pt. In which of the following cavity preparations
is the use of a wooden wedge necessary? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Class I, IV, V
To increase the strength of an amalgam, all of following must be done EXCEPT:
inc condensation pressure, inc particle size, inc trituration time, dec the voids - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅inc particle size
-a dec in particle size will increase compressive strength and decrease setting expansion
Dentist placed an amalgam filling in tooth #20. After getting home, you notice there is one
margin which is slightly off. How long should u wait before telling the dentist to polish the
restoration? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅24-48 hrs
Dentist placed amalgam filling on one of your back teeth. After numbness wears off, you notice
sensitivity when eating ice cream. Which characteristic of amalgam explains why this is most
common problem after amalgams? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅thermal insulation
(conduction)
(amalgam is a poor thermal insulator)
The amount of mercury remaining in dental amalgam after condensation directly affects all of
following EXCEPT:
porosity, compressive strength, corrosion resistance, galvanic corrosion, surface finish -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅galvanic corrosion (chemical rxn that occurs when dissimilar
metals are in contact)
, Which of following is main use of cavity varnish? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅used to seal
dentinal tubules
barrier against irritants
Which of following cements is best prepared by mixing on a cool glass slab - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅zinc phosphate
A pt has a questionable prognosis for a crown due to a history of high caries risk. In order to
reduce the likelihood of recurrent decay, which cement is best - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅glass ionomer
Water and heat accelerate the setting rxn ZOE cements.
Bc of sedative nature of ZOE cements, they do not require a protective varnish or cavity liner.
T/F - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅both TRUE
The pt has a large cleanout of a tooth with no exposure to pulp. No RCT indicated but since the
filling is so large, a crown is recommended. Which of following cements would be
contraindicated since it is most irritating to pulp? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc
phosphate
Which cement is chemically bonded to tooth - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc
polycarboxylate
glass ionomer
resins
Dentist asks u to order some Durelon cement from the dental sales rep for him. Salesman tells
you they do not have this specific bran. Which type of generic cement should you ask for? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅zinc polycarboxylate
