College

What dental material is used to fabricate dental models?

a) Acrylic resin
b) Amalgam
c) Composite resin
d) Gypsum

Answer :

Final answer:

Gypsum is used to fabricate dental models, providing a precise and stable reproduction of patient's teeth, unlike dental amalgams which are used for filling cavities and contain metals like mercury, silver, tin, and copper.

Explanation:

The dental material used to fabricate dental models is d) Gypsum. Dental models are crucial in the planning and creation of dental devices, orthodontic work, and for educational purposes in dentistry. Unlike dental amalgams that are used for fillings and contain metals such as mercury, silver, tin, and copper, gypsum is a safe and moldable material ideal for capturing the fine details of a patient's dentition in a model.

Dental amalgams are used for their durability and cost-effectiveness in filling cavities. They have traditionally been valued for their long lifespan, ease of manipulation, and relatively low cost, although concerns have been raised about the mercury content. Amalgams are generally not used for making dental models, which require materials like gypsum that can provide a precise and stable reproduction of teeth.