Creep and corrosion in dental amalgam can be minimized by having a high amount of which metal in the alloy?

The presence of a high amount of copper in dental amalgam significantly minimizes creep and corrosion, making it the preferred metal for improving the material’s overall performance. Copper contributes to the formation of strong intermetallic compounds, enhancing the mechanical strength and stability of the amalgam. This addition effectively reduces the degradation of the material, improving its longevity and resistance to corrosion in the oral environment.

Copper-rich amalgams tend to have lower creep rates, which is essential since creep can lead to marginal deterioration and a compromised seal at the margins of restorations. By minimizing these factors, high-copper amalgams provide better clinical outcomes, making them a standard for modern dental practices.

Other metals like silver and zinc can impact the properties of amalgam, but they do not offer the same level of improvement in reducing creep and corrosion as copper does. Gold is not typically used in amalgam formulations, further emphasizing copper's role in enhancing amalgam performance.