Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The consequence of delayed expansion of contaminated amalgam is often related to immediate post-operative pain. When contaminated amalgam is used, the presence of moisture and other contaminants can lead to an inadequate setting reaction. This can cause the amalgam to expand after placement, generating internal pressures that exert on the surrounding dental structures. This pressure can result in pain, which may occur shortly after the amalgam has been placed, as the expansion can lead to tooth sensitivity or discomfort for the patient.

In contrast, while secondary caries, blister formation, and pulp necrosis can be associated with dental materials, they are not direct and immediate consequences of delayed expansion. Secondary caries typically develop over time due to poor seal or microleakage, blister formation is more associated with tissue irritation rather than directly with the expansion of amalgam, and pulp necrosis is a more severe and late-stage consequence that results from factors like chronic inflammation or irreversible pulpitis rather than the immediate effects of amalgam expansion. Therefore, immediate post-operative pain is the most closely linked consequence of the delayed expansion of contaminated amalgam.