Final answer:
Attempting to carve a set dental amalgam can lead to distortion of the material rather than a smooth finish or any improvement to its strength or adaptation. The option (B) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a dental amalgam that contains silver and other metals is completely set, attempting to carve it will not result in a smooth finish. Instead, the act of carving set amalgam could lead to distortion of the material. Dental amalgams are chosen due to their low cost, ease of manipulation when unset, and durability.
However, once the amalgam has hardened, it is not malleable and any attempt to alter its shape may compromise the integrity of the restoration and could potentially damage the material. Furthermore, dental amalgams have sparked health concerns due to their mercury content, which accounts for approximately 50% of their weight. Therefore, option (B) is correct.