Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 - Free ADC Practice Questions and Study Guide

When amalgam comes into contact with moisture during the mixing or setting process, it can lead to several adverse effects. Among these, secondary caries is the uncommon result.

Moisture contamination primarily affects the integrity and quality of the amalgam. It can result in the formation of blisters on the surface, as well as potential post-operative pain due to the compromised sealing properties of the restoration. The setting reaction can be disrupted, leading to a reduced compressive strength and potential structural failure of the amalgam filling.

However, secondary caries are typically associated with poor marginal integrity and deficiencies in the sealing capabilities between the amalgam restoration and the tooth structure itself. While moisture can adversely affect these properties and ultimately lead to marginal breakdown over time, the instance of immediate secondary caries resulting directly from moisture contamination is less common compared to the other more direct consequences, such as blisters or reduced strength.

Thus, while all of these complications can arise under certain circumstances, secondary caries is considered the least likely result of moisture contamination in amalgam.