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How has silver-mercury amalgam been used in dental fillings?

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A periodic table element box for mercury shows its symbol Hg, atomic number 80, atomic weight 200.592, electron configuration, and name. Icons indicate mercury is a transition metal, liquid at room temperature, has a rhombohedral crystal structure, and is weakly basic. — mercury Properties of mercury.

In dentistry, silver-mercury amalgams have been used as a material for filling teeth and repairing dental cavities. These amalgams are typically composed of silver and tin, often with minor additions of copper and zinc, mixed with mercury.12

Because mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature, it readily alloys with these other metals to form a workable material that can be placed into a cavity. Once applied, the mixture hardens to provide a durable restoration for the tooth. While these amalgams have been historically successful for dental repairs, it is important to acknowledge that mercury is a toxic substance, and its use in various applications has been increasingly scrutinized and replaced due to health and environmental safety concerns.321