Elastic impression Materials

Hydrocolloids
YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS GET THE
CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST
IMPRESSION

BUT

THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS NOT

THE LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A
GOOD IMPRESSION…
 CLASSIFICATION OF ELASTIC
IMPRESSION

Elastic impression materials

Non aqueous elastomers Hydrocolloids(Aqeous)

Poly
Poly Silicones
sulphide Agar Alginate
ethers Addition+
s condensation
INTRODUCTION
Solution

• A homogenous mixture, exist as a single phase. e.g. in a sugar

solution, sugar molecules are uniformly dispersed in the water and
there is no visible separation.

Suspension
A heterogeneous mixture, has two phases, eg.in soluble, visible sand
particles in water.
 INTRODUCTION
Hydrocolloid:

• Colloid suspensions lies between a solution and a suspension.

• No solid particles are visible and the mixture does not behave as a simple solution.
• The molecules of the colloid repel each other due to their small electric charges.
• The solution is called Hydrocolloid when the fluid medium is water.
• It has two phases:
• Dispersed phase (consist of molecules)
• Dispersion phase.
 Hydrocolloid
Exist in two forms: SOL or GEL

Sol:
• Fluid / low viscosity
• Random molecular distribution
GEL :
• Jelly like consistency / high viscosity
• The dispersed phase agglomerates to form chains or fibrils
• The dispersion medium is held in the interstices between the fibrils
• Gel formation:
• Agglomeration of the molecules of the dispersed phase → formation of long chains or
fibrils, which hold the dispersion medium.
• Agar: Fibrils / chains are held together by weak Van der Waals forces.
These bonds break at slightly elevated temperatures and reestablish at room
temperature (reversible hydrocolloids)..PHYSICAL CHANGE
Dispersed phase agglomerate----form MICELLES or fibrils
• Alginate: Fibrils are formed by a chemical reaction, strong intermolecular cross-links
are produced between the chains. These intermolecular cross links are produced
between the chains. These materials do not revert back to sol form on temperature
change (irreversible hydrocolloids).
 PROPERTIES

• Syneresis: Gel shrinks due to WATER LOSS

• Imbibition: Gel swells Dimensional changes due to

WATER INTAKE

• Evaporation

• DIMENSIONAL INACCURASY
• Strength of the gel depends upon:
 Concentration of the fibrils
 Concentration of the inert fillers
 Temperature (affect the reversible gel
which is agar)

• Placed intra-orally, sol converts to gel

by thermal or chemical process
• Thermal →reversible (AGAR)
• Chemical → irreversible ( ALGINATE)
DUE TO PRESENCE OF
BORAX IN
HYDROCOLLOIDS
 Alginate

Irreversible Hydrocolloid
 INTRODUCTION
• Alginate is an elastic, irreversible hydrocolloid impression material

• It is the most frequently used impression material

Factors which make it a material of choice for dentists are:

• Easy manipulation
• Patient comfort
• Cost effective
USES
• In Prosthodontics:

• Preliminary impressions for complete dentures

• Impressions for partial dentures
• Provisional crown and bridge impressions (not for
permanent)

• In Orthodontics:

• Impression for appliance construction

• Study model impression
USES

• Impressions for sports mouth guards, and bleaching trays

 COMPOSITION
Material Amount Function
Sodium / potassiam salt of 11-16 % Main reactive
alginic acid ingredient,forms sol with
water and then gel on cross
linking

Calcium sulphate 11-17 % Source of calcium ions,cross

link alginate chains

Sodium phosphate 1-3 % Controls the working time

(retarder)

Diatomaceous earth 65-75 % Filer gives body and enables

easy manipulation

Flavouring agents Give pleasant flavour

Reaction indicators Gives color change when

setting is complete
AVAILABILITY
• Powder
In tubs
In small sachets
MANIPULATION
Mixing

• Measured powder is added to the premeasured water in a rubber bowl

• Rapid spatulation with a WIDE CURVED BLADE metal or plastic spatula

• Spatulate along the walls of the bowl in swipping motion to press out
air bubbles IN FIGURE of 8 MOTION.

• A smooth, creamy mixture should be achieved-SOL consistency

 MANIPULATION
• Mixing:

• Mechanical mixers are also available

 Convenience
 Speed
 Human error is eliminated

• Mixing time is from 45 sec to 1 min depending on the type and brand

• Ensure clean equipment for mixing

SETTING REACTION

• On mixing—alginate sol formed.

• Sodium phosphate is used as a retarder, it reacts rapidly with calcium ions in

Gypsum to produce insoluble calcium phosphate, making calcium ions unavailable
for sodium alginate.. extends working time

• When all the sodium phosphate has reacted, calcium ions become available for
sodium alginate….forming Calcium alginate.

• This initiate the setting reaction and the viscosity of the material increases

• Setting time for regular-setting alginate is 3 – 4.5 mins and 1.5 – 3 mins for fast
setting alginate
SUMMARY OF SETTING REACTION OF ALGINATE
• Alginate+Water------- Sol-> Gel.
• NaPO4 + CaH2So4 (Retarder+Gypsum)
•
Sol • All of NaPO4 used up

• Na Alginate + Ca2+ (Main reactive agent+

calcium)
• Calcium Alginate formed-------Cross linked
Gel gel

• Elastic properties

• Viscosity.
IRREVERSIBLE
• Setting time may be controlled by:

• Warm water----Accelarates reaction…rate at which Sodium phosphate

is consumed…Increased cross linking => Inc working&setting time.

• Cold water----Retards=> More time available for mixing and setting.

* Hence impression closer to oral tissues sets faster compared to close

to tray
 ALGINATE IMPRESSION
• Explain the procedure to the patient:

• The material will feel cold, there is no unpleasant taste, and the material will
set quickly.

• Breathe deeply through your nose to help you relax and be more
comfortable.
• Use hand signals to communicate any discomfort

• Select a suitable tray

• Load the tray when material has developed sufficient body, to avoid flow of
the material out of the tray
 CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALGINATE IMPRESSION

• Perforated trays are generally used for the retention of the

materials in the tray

• Thickness of the alginate impression between the tray and the

tissue should be at least 3 mm

• Alginate impression should be kept in the mouth for at least 3

mins after gelation…WAITING allows better elastic properties.

• Remove the tray with a snap

 ADVANTAGES
• Inexpensive

• Easy to manipulate

• Pleasant taste

• Hydrophilic

• Able to displace blood and body fluids

• Easily poured in stone

• Can be used with stock trays

 DISADVANTAGES
• Tears easily

• Dimensionally unstable..
Immediate pour
Single cast

• Lower detail reproduction

Unacceptable for crown, bridge and implant for impressions

• High permanent deformation

• Difficult to disinfect
• Cannot be electroplated
 MODIFIED ALGINATES
• A hybrid material is produced by incorporating silicone polymers into the
alginate….Available as two pastes system
• Setting characteristics are same as conventional alginates

• They have slightly better surface detail production and tear resistance
• DUSTLESS ALGINATES---contain Glycerine .. Less health hazard
• CHROMATIC ALGINATES
• ALGINATES CONTAINING DISINFECTANTS
Agar-Agar
Reversible hydro colloid
• An organic hydrophilic
polysaccharide extracted from
seaweed.
• First ever elastic impression
material.
• USED primarily as 2nd impression
+
Duplicating agent
Composition
Component % Function
Agar 13-17 Forms the colloid
borax 0.2-0.5 Gives strength to the gel

Potassium sulphate 1-2 Accelerates the setting of the

stone

Hard wax 0.5-1 filler

Thixotropic material 0.3-0.5 thickener
water >80 Dispersion medium
Thymol Bactericidal
Glycerin Plasticizer
Pigments As desired
 INDICATIONS

Crown and bridge impressions

• High accuracy
• Partial dentures impressions
• In laboratories, for model duplication
AVAILABILITY & CLASSIFICATION
• Tubes for trays
• Cartridges for syringes
• Classification on the basis of consistency
• Type 1 →high consistency
• Type 2 →medium consistency
• Type 3 → low consistency
MANIPULATION
• A Three compartment conditioning unit is used for the manipulation of
agar

• First compartment → liquefying( 100 c)

• Second compartment → storing (65 c)
• Third compartment→ tampering (45 c)
 MANIPULATION
• For liquefaction tube or syringe is placed in the 1st compartment at 100°C for 10 minutes,
converts gel to sol

• Then the tube or syringe is stored at 65°C in the 2nd Compartment until needed-
STORAGE

• Just before use materials is placed in the tray & tempered in the 3rd compartment at 45°C
for 3-10 minutes (tray material only, not required for syringe) -----55° C is the max
tolerable temp

• The materials should not be left in the tempering compartment for more than 10
minutes, as gelation may proceed too far, thereby making the material unusable
 AGAR IMPRESSION

• Syringe material is directly placed on the prepared tooth surface from the storage
compartment
• Then the loaded tray from the tempering compartment is inserted into the mouth with light
pressure and held with a light force
• At mouth temperature the conversion from sol to gel is slow
• The conversion is accelerated by using water cooled impression trays
• The trays have a special metal tube in which cold water ( 18 to 21 °C )is
• circulated for 3 to 5 mins.
• Impression is removed with a snapping action to get an accurate impression
• COOL -----
SOL
• ------- GEL SOLIDIFICATION TEMP: temp=>Sol-Gel
• HEAT LIQUEFACTION TEMPERATURE: temp => Gel-Sol
• HYSTERESIS: TIME LAG B/W Solidification&liquefaction Temp.
ADVANTAGES
• Accuracy
• Hydrophilic
Draw moisture, blood, fluids
• Inexpensive
After initial equipment
• Pleasant
• Re usable
• No mixing required
• Adequate shelf life
DISADVANTAGES

• Need special equipment

• Initial expense
Special equipment
• Material prepared in advanced
• Slow setting time
• Tears easily
• Viscoelastic material (Permanent deformation occurs even if
• subjected to stresses for more than a few seconds)
 DISADVANTAGES
Dimensional Unstability:

• Evaporation
Syneresis
Loss of the water from the material  shrinkage of the impression.
Imbibtion
 Absorption of water -> expansion of the impression

Wrap with moist guaze paper

KEEP IN 100% HUMIDITY
•
Difficult to disinfect → Pour within 30 minutes
 DUPLICATING MATERIAL

To duplicate casts and models for fabrication of prosthetic

and orthodontic appliances
 COMBINED REVERSIBLE/IRREVERSIBLE
TECHNIQUES- LAMINATE TECHNIQUE
• Agar and alginate are used together

• Alginate is loaded in the impression tray and agar is syringed around the region to be recorded

• Bulk of final impression consists of alginate and the material adjacent to the hard or soft tissue is agar

• This technique provides good surface details by use of agar and eliminate the use of water cooled tray as
thin layer of agar set itself very quickly

• Requirements:
There should be adequate bond between the two materials

Dimensional changes should be less than 1% at 23˚C and 95% humidity