Which instrument’s primary function is to hold and transfer amalgam material to the dental cavity?

The primary function of the amalgam carrier is to hold and transfer amalgam material to the dental cavity. This instrument is specifically designed to pick up the amalgam material and deliver it accurately into the prepared cavity of a tooth. The amalgam carrier typically has a double-ended design, allowing a dental professional to load it with amalgam and dispense it directly into the cavity preparations without spillage, ensuring an efficient and clean application.

In comparing it to other instruments, an amalgam condenser is used to pack and condense the amalgam material into the cavity once it has been placed, thus serving a different purpose. An amalgam well serves as a container for holding the amalgam before it is picked up by the amalgam carrier, making it a storage instrument rather than one for transferring. The cleoid/discoid is designed for carving and shaping the amalgam once it has been placed in the cavity, aiding in the refinement of the restoration but not in its initial placement.