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SPRUING
For the 2nd year Academic year 2013/2014 March 9&13, 2014 Presented by

Dr. Mohamed H. Ghazy

Professor of fixed prosthodontics

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Sprueing the wax pattern

Investing the wax pattern Burning out the wax pattern Casting the dental alloy Devesting the cast

Sandblasting the framework

Finishing the framework

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The process of casting consists of surrounding the wax pattern with a mold made of heat resistant investment material.
Eliminating the wax by heating.

Introducing molten metal into the mold through a channel called the sprue.

The sprue

Definition:

It is a channel through which molten alloy can reach the mold in an invested ring after the wax has been eliminated.

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Sprue

provides a channel in the investment material. Through this sprue channel molten wax can escape during the burnout process, and molten metal can reach the mold cavity.

former

Basic requirements of the sprue former:

Allow the molten wax to escape from the mold.

1.

2. Enable the molten metal to flow into the mold.

3.

The metal within it must remain molten slightly longer than the alloy that has filled the mold.

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Spruing methods:

Direct sprue directed towards the pattern without any deviations

Reservoir

Spruing methods:

Indirect sprue goes through different angles along its path towards the pattern (using a runner bar)

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Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-Location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-Location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

1. Types of sprue formers according to its material

Wax sprue former (preferred). Plastic sprue former:

1. 2.

Solid Hollow

Metallic sprue former:

1.
2.

Solid Hollow

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Wax sprue former:

Available in different shapes and diameters. Wax sprues are preferred for most castings because they melt at the same rate as the pattern and thus allow easy escape of the molten wax.

Plastic sprue former

When? Plastic sprues can be useful when casting fixed partial dentures in one piece Why? Because their added rigidity minimizes distortion.

Which type? Solid plastic sprues soften at a higher temperature than the wax pattern and may block the escape of wax, resulting in increased casting roughness. Hollow plastic sprues are available that permit the escape of the wax.

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Metallic sprue former:

It should be made of non-rusting metal to avoid possible contamination of the wax. Metal sprues are often hollow to increase contact surface area and strengthen the attachment between the sprue and the pattern. They are usually removed easily after coating their external surface with wax, from the investment at the same time as the crucible former .

Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

2. Sprue former diameter

A sprue former should be thicker than the thickest portion of the wax pattern to permit solidification of the metal in the casting prior to the sprue and button. Sprue former diameter depends on:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-Location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

A)Size of wax pattern i)A 2.5-mm (10-gauge) sprue is recommended for molar and metalceramic patterns. ii)A smaller 2-mm (12-gauge) is adequate for premolars and partial coverage restorations. B)Casting technique With air-pressure machines the melt is made directly in the
depression created by the crucible former and then forced into the mold by the sudden change in air pressure. With this technique a narrow sprue prevents the molten metal from flowing into the mold prematurely.

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3. Sprue former length Average 6 mm

Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

Distance between pattern and ring top Gypsum-bonded investment -------- 6-8 mm Phosphate-bonded investment ------ 3-4 mm

The length of the sprue should be adjusted in such a way so as to place the wax pattern away from the center of the ring (the hottest zone).

Thermal zone

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Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-Location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

4. Sprue former location

-The sprue should be attached to the bulkiest part of the pattern ( nonfunctional cusp). -The point of attachment should permit a stream of metal to be directed to all parts of the Mold.

Sprue former location

Incorrect sprue placement in the central fossa obliterates occlusal anatomy and may result in poor mold filling.

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5.Sprue former Attachment

The sprue's point of attachment to the pattern should be carefully smoothed to minimize turbulence. The attachment area should not be restricted because necking increases casting porosity and reduces mold filling. The joint is a drop of wax smoothed not restricted to minimize turbulence and casting porosity

Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-Location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

6. Sprue former Angulations

The sprue former should not

be placed perpendicular to a flat portion of the pattern

to lessen the chance of excessive turbulence during casting and the subsequent formation of porosity.

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Factors affecting selection of sprue former:

7. Shape and number

a) shape

Direct sprue directed towards the pattern without any deviations for casting gold alloy. Indirect sprue goes through different angles along its path towards the pattern (using a runner bar) for casting base metal alloys.

1.Materials of sprue former 2.Diameter 3.Length 4-location 5-Attachment 6-Angulation 7-Shape and number

b)Number
Single spruing Double spruing Multiple spruing

i)Single spruing may be :

Straight in case of casting with direct technique for gold alloys.

Zigzag in case of indirect casting technique of base metal alloys

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b) Double spruing
Direct spruing (V & Y shaped) is also used in casting gold alloy While the indirect spruing staple shaped sprue is used for casting base metal alloys

c)Multiple sprues

Direct

Indirect

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d) Accessory sprue

The thin auxiliary sprue may help gases escape and ensure the casting solidifies in a critical area. Used for casting thin wall restoration e.g buccal surface of veneered restoration to prevent perforation of the surface due to incomplete shrinkage compensation of the thin wall

Venting
The thin auxiliary sprue may help gases escape and ensure the casting solidifies in a critical area.

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Crucible Former

The sprue is attached to a crucible former, usually made of rubber, which constitutes the base of the casting ring during investing. It provides a funnel to facilitate entrance of molten alloy

Casting ring holds investment in place and restricts expansion

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Ring liner allows for hygroscopic expansion, venting, facilitates removal of investment, and directs expansion outwards

RINGLESS INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE

- Use higher-strength, phosphate-bonded investments. - It is designed to allow unrestricted expansion of the alloys of higher melting temperature to compensate for high shrinkage.
Plastic ring

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SPRUING TECHNIQUE for a single casting

1.Attach a wax sprue to the bulkiest nonfunctional cusp of the wax pattern, and angle it to facilitates filling of the mold.

SPRUING TECHNIQUE for a single casting

2. Add wax to the point of attachment and smooth it to prevent turbulence during casting.

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SPRUING TECHNIQUE for a single casting

3. Remove the pattern from the die, using extreme caution not to distort it by bending the fingers of the left hand.

SPRUING TECHNIQUE for a single casting

4 - Insert the sprue into the hole in the crucible former with forceps and lute with wax which should be smoothed.

- Use of a surfactant greatly enhances wetting of the pattern during investing

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SPRUING TECHNIQUE for a single casting

5. Line the casting ring, keeping it flush with the open end, and moisten the liner. 6. Place the ring over the pattern to ensure it is sufficiently long to cover the pattern with about 6 mm of investment.

SPRUING TECHNIQUE for multiple castings

- When more than two units are being cast together, each is joined to a runner bar. A single sprue is used to feed the runner bar.

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Thats All,
Any Questions ?

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