Dental materials: amalgam retention: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Dental materials: amalgam retention

Sample item

Which statement about dental amalgam is true?

AIt bonds chemically to dentinBIt is tooth colouredCIt does not adhere to tooth and needs mechanical retentionDIt sets by light polymerisation

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. It does not adhere to tooth and needs mechanical retention

Amalgam has no adhesion to tooth structure, so cavities must have mechanical undercuts and retention form. It is metallic, not tooth coloured, and sets by crystallisation.

Option by option

A. It bonds chemically to dentin
Amalgam does not bond chemically.
B. It is tooth coloured
Amalgam is silver-grey.
C. It does not adhere to tooth and needs mechanical retention (correct)
Correct. Retention must be mechanical.
D. It sets by light polymerisation
Light curing applies to composites.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, It does not adhere to tooth and needs mechanical retention. Amalgam has no adhesion to tooth structure, so cavities must have mechanical undercuts and retention form.

Why is "It bonds chemically to dentin" not the answer?

Amalgam does not bond chemically.

Why is "It is tooth coloured" not the answer?

Amalgam is silver-grey.

Why is "It sets by light polymerisation" not the answer?

Light curing applies to composites.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials: amalgam retention in Dentistry. It is metallic, not tooth coloured, and sets by crystallisation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental materials: amalgam retention?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.