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DOCTOR-TECHNICIAN
PERSPECTIVES

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Alginate Substitutes:

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Rationale for Their Use

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he irreversible hydrocolloid that we

T commonly refer to as alginate is exten-

sively used for study casts, master casts,

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and working models for the fabrication of
intraoral appliances.1 Alginate is the most com-
mon impression material used for creating

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the opposing model for crown and bridge, but
it has many shortcomings as an ideal im-
Leendert (Len) pression material. The ideal impression materi-
Boksman, DDS, al should reproduce oral detail accurately, have
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high tear strength, have reasonable working
du
Figure 1. The dehydration of the flanges of this alginate Figure 2. Amount of powder in the measuring cup can
and setting time, be biocompatible, be dimen-
sionally stable, allow multiple pours, and not impression is noticeable 2 minutes after taking the be highly variable.
impression.
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be affected in its accuracy by disinfection.2

BACKGROUND ON ALGINATES
Due to its hydrophilic nature, alginate takes
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a good impression in a moist environment.3

However, this very feature, which is so impor-
tant to clinicians, creates one of the most
severe limitations for its use. This very prop-
s

Gregg
Tousignant, CDT erty creates an impression that is not dimen-
ile

sionally stable due to environmental humid-

ity and temperature.4-7 This feature of
hydrophilicity also affects the stability of
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polyethers which can change dimensionally

(larger by 30 to 240 µm; or smaller by 20 to
120 µm) depending on humidity.8 Polyether
impressions and alginate impressions wrap-
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Figure 3. Each and every mix of traditional alginate will Figure 4. Model derived from alginate impression
have different thixotropy and working/setting time without the use of an adhesive. Note that the lower left
due to variables in water/powder ratio and temperature quadrant has pulled away from the tray.
of the water.

ped in moist towels should never be shipped

to the laboratory together in the same poly-
bag since the polyether impression can ab- cross-linking continues, creating a contraction lem, preventing the alginate material from
so

sorb water from the alginate impression or
its wet wrap. Alginate impressions should be
poured in dental stone immediately for max-
imum accuracy because of the material’s
er
with time and an exudation of water. This wetting the teeth and reproducing detail.15
reaction therefore necessitates immediate If the teeth are dried from taking one im-
pour up of the alginate. Irreversible hydro- pression, retaking a good detailed second
colloids such as alginate can only be poured impression of the same arch is impossible.2

ability to imbibe or lose moisture. After 10 up once because of hydrophilicity. If one adds the clinical variability of the
minutes of storage time, alginate begins to Hydrophilicity also creates a monumen- inaccuracy of the amount of powder used in
distort, and after one to 3 hours cannot be tal problem with disinfection of irreversible the mix (Figure 2); the amount and temper-
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used for many clinical purposes, especially
fixed prosthodontics (Figure 1).9
The stability of alginates is also affected
by the reaction of syneresis, in which fibril
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hydrocolloid with hundreds of research arti- ature of the water both which affect thix-
cles looking at types of disinfectants in var- otropy and working time (Figure 3); the
ious combinations with a multitude of algi- effects of mixing methods on the mechanical
nates. These investigations show that disin- properties of alginates16; the effect of type

fection can create severe effects on dimen- and design of tray on clinical accuracy17,18;
Aliginate Substitutes Currently Available sional accuracy with immersion creating the the effects of using adhesives19,20 (Figure 4);
COUNTER-FIT CLINICIAN’S CHOICE greatest inaccuracy, as well as an effect on and the exposure to hazardous dust,1,21 it is
the surface quality of the casts produced.10-14 not surprising that alginate substitutes are
Position Penta Quick 3M ESPE Alginate has a low tear strength and tears becoming more popular (Table)(Figure 5).
AlgiNot Sybron Dental Specialties/Kerr easily especially in deep undercuts and pon-
Silgimix Sultan Healthcare tic areas. Alginate has a tendency to stick to ALGINATE SUBSTITUTES
StatusBlue Zenith Dental/DMG teeth, with possible alginate tears on re- Alginate substitutes are low cost polyvinyl
Freealign Zhermack moval of the alginate, and polishing or pro- siloxanes (PVS) and, as PVS, they have the
phylaxis of the teeth exacerbates the prob- same characteristics of the higher priced
DENTISTRYTODAY.COM • APRIL 2009