amalgometer

An amalgometer is a historical dental instrument used for preparing and mixing dental amalgam. Amalgam is a filling material commonly used in dentistry, consisting of a mixture of metals, typically silver, tin, copper, and mercury. The amalgometer was designed to facilitate the precise combination of these components in the correct proportions before they were placed in a patient's tooth.

These devices often featured a mechanism for dispensing the powdered alloy and liquid mercury, and a chamber where they could be mixed. Some amalgometers were hand-operated, while others were powered by a motor. The goal was to achieve a homogeneous mixture, free from voids, which would ensure the durability and effectiveness of the amalgam filling.

The use of amalgometers declined with the advent of pre-capsulated amalgam, which contains the alloy powder and mercury in a sealed capsule. These capsules are mixed mechanically in a device called a triturator, eliminating the need for a separate amalgometer. While amalgometers are largely obsolete in modern dental practice, they represent a significant step in the evolution of dental restorative materials and techniques. They are now considered historical artifacts within the field of dentistry.