ALGINATE THE DENTAL IMPRESSION MATERIAL

Alginate Impression material is an elastic, irreversible impression material which is used to take the impression of both edentulous and dentulous impressions.

TYPES
Type I: Fast setting _ 1-2 mins Type II: Normal setting _ 2-4.5 mins

AVAILABLE AS:

1. Bulk powder. 2. Pre-weighed packages. 3. Colour changing alginates: violent during mixing, pink when ready to be seated and white when set.

COMPOSITION

Ester salts of alginic acid (sodium or potassium or triethanolamine alginate) 15% Calcium sulphate (reactor) 16% Zinc Oxide 4% Potassium titanium fluoride 3% Diatomaceous earth 60% Sodium phosphate 2% Colouring and flavouring agents (traces)

SETTING REACTION

2 Na3PO4 + 3 CaSO4 Ca3(PO4)2 + 3 Na2SO4 SODIUM ALGINATE + CALCIUM SULPHATE CALCIUM ALGINATE + SODIUM SULPHATE

The above reaction occurs too quickly often during mixing or loading of the impression tray. It can be slowed down by adding trisodium phosphate to the powder. This reacts with the calcium sulphate to produce calcium phosphate, preventing the calcium sulphate reacting with the sodium alginate to form a gel.

This second reaction occurs in preference to the first reaction until the trisodium phosphate is used up, then the alginate will set as a gel. There is a well-defined working time during which there is no viscosity change.

SETTING TIME

Type I : Fast setting _ 1-2 mins Type II : Normal setting _ 2-4.5 mins

CONTROL OF GELATION TIME

Under control by Manufacturers: By the amount of retarder added during manufacture.

Under control of clinicians: By altering the water: powder ratio. By changing the mixing time. By altering the temperature of the water.

o increase in temperature decreases gelation time o vice versa Premature gelation causes distortion in the impression and is rendered useless. Prolonged gelation time is tedious on both dentist and patient.

MANIPULATION

The powder is taken after inverting the can several times to produce uniform distribution of the filler before mixing with water. The top of the can should be taken off carefully to prevent silica particles from being inhaled. The proper water : powder ratio as specified by the manufacturer should be used, measured quantities of water and powder are added in the rubber mixing bowl and mixing started with a stirring motion. Once its moistened, rapid spatulation by swiping or stropping against the side of the bowl is done. A vigorous figure 8 motion is used.

Mixing time Type I Type II 45 sec 1 min

Working time 1 min 25 sec 2 min

PROPERTIES

Good surface detail, but lower than that of agar Reaction is faster at higher temperatures Elastic recovery: Elastic enough to be drawn over the undercuts, but tears over the deep undercuts Non-toxic and non-irritant Setting time can depend on technique Alginate powder is unstable on storage in presence of moisture or in warm temperatures Flexibility: lower w/p ratio results in lower flexibility Dimensional stability is poor (due to evaporation) Tear Strength of 350-700 g/cm2 Compressive Strength of 5000-8000 g/cm2

USES

1. For making primary impressions of edentulous patients with undercut ridges. 2. For preliminary impressions for complete dentures. 3. For making impressions for dentulous patients for constructing study models and temporary removable prostheses. 4. For making impressions for orthodontic study models. 5. Used as a duplicating material.

6. Used for making impressions for the preparation of mouth protectors for athletes.

ADVANTAGES

1. Non-toxic and non-irritant. 2. Good surface detail. 3. Ease of use and mix. 4. Cheap and good shelf life. 5. Setting time can be controlled with temperature of water used. 6. Relatively easy to remove due to its elasticity and comfortable to patient due to its odor and taste.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Poor dimensional stability. 2. Incompatibility with some dental stones. 3. Setting time very dependent on operator handling. 4. Messy to work with poor tear strength especially in thin sections.

TYPES OF FAILURES

DEFECTS

improper mixing prolonged mixing undue gelation low w/p ratio

TEARING

Inadequate bulk moisture contamination premature removal from mouth prolonged mixing

EXTERNAL BUBBLES

undue gelation preventing flow air incorporated during mixing

IRREGULAR SHAPED VOIDS

moisture

ROUGH OR CHALKY STONE MODEL

inadequate cleaning of impression excess water left in impression premature removal of model

DISTORTION

Impression not poured immediately