Alginate

(Irreversible Hydrocolloid)

Si-Woon Park, D.D.S.

February 14, 2002
Impression Materials
in prosthetic dentistry
 Rigid materials
 Thermoplastic materials
 Elastic materials
Impression Materials
 Rigid material

1. Plaster of paris

2. Metallic oxide pastes

Impression Materials
 Thermoplastic materials

1. Modeling plastic

2. Impression waxes
(Mouth-temperature wax)
Impression Materials
 Elastic materials
1. Reversible hydrocolloids (agar-agar)
2. Irreversible hydrocolloids (alginate)
3. Mercaptan rubber-base impression
materials (Thiokol)
4. Condensation silicones
5. Addition reaction silicones
6. Polyethers
7. Polysulfides
Definition of Hydrocolloid
A name applied to either alginate
or agar impression materials
because they yield a gel when
mixed with water.

Rudd, Morrow, Rhoads 1986

Types of Hydrocolloid

 Reversible hydrocolloid (agar-agar)

 Irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate)
Reversible hydrocolloid
A hydrocolloid whose physical
condition is changed by
temperature. The material is
made fluid by heat and becomes
an elastic solid on cooling.

Rudd, Morrow, Rhoads

1986
Irreversible hydrocolloid
A hydrocolloid whose physical
condition is changed by a chemical
action that is not reversible.

Rudd, Morrow, Rhoads

1986
Irreversible hydrocolloid
A hydrocolloid consisting of a sol of
alginic acid having a physical state
that is changed by an irreversible
chemical reaction forming
insoluble calcium alginate.

GPT-7
Principal differences between
reversible and irreversible
hydrocolloids

1. Reversible hydrocolloids converts from

the gel form to a sol by the application
of heat.

2. Irreversible hydrocolloid becomes a

gel via a chemical reaction as a result
of mixing alginate powder with water.
This physical change is irreversible.
Definition of Alginate
A salt of alginic acid, such as sodium
alginate, which , when mixed with
water in accurate proportions, forms
an irreversible hydrocolloid gel used
for making impressions.

Rudd, Morrow, Rhoads

1986
History of Alginate
 At the end of the 19th century a
chemist from Scotland noticed that
certain brown seaweed (algae)
yielded a peculiar mucous
extraction.
 He named it “algin” and it was
used for many purposes.
History of Alginate

 In
1940, another chemist, S.
William Wilding, received a basic
patent for the use of algin as a
dental impression material.
History of Alginate
 When the popular agar impression
material became scarce because of
World War II (Japan was a prime source
of agar), research was accelerated to
improve and refine the algin dental
compound.

 The result was the present irreversible

hydrocolloid, or alginate impression
material.
Purposes of Alginate
1. Diagnostic casts
2. Master casts for removable
partial denture procedures
3. Pick-up impression techniques
4. Orthodontic casts
5. Duplicating casts
6. Many other different purposes
“Alginate impression material is
used more frequently than any
other material for making
impressions for diagnostic casts,
and master casts for removable
partial dentures.”

Rudd, Morrow, Strunk, JPD 1969

Characteristics of Alginate
1. Accurate
2. Easy to use
3. Relatively inexpensive
4. Non-toxic or irritating
5. Does not require specialized equipment
or customized trays
6. Satisfactory consistency, texture and
elastic properties
7. One of the most abused impression
materials used by dentist
“ Knowledge of the physical
properties and working
characteristics of alginate is
essential if the material is to be
used successfully”

Stewart, Rudd, Kuebker 1992

Composition and Chemistry
of Alginate impression
materials
 Alginicacid
prepared from a marine plant and is
a linear polymer of anhydro-B-D-
mannuronic acid of high molecular
weight
Composition and Chemistry
of Alginate impression
materials
 Potassium and sodium salts of
alginic acid have properties that
make them suitable for
compounding a dental impression
material.
 Solution of these soluble salts,
when reacted with a calcium salt,
produce an insoluble elastic gel.
Composition and Chemistry
of Alginate impression
materials
 The soluble alginate (potassium and
sodium salts of alginic acid) and the
calcium sulfate dihydrate are both
included in the powder.
 As the powder is mixed with water,
the sparingly soluble calcium sulfate
dihydrate dissolves and reacts with
the potassium to produce calcium
alginate.
Composition and Chemistry
of Alginate impression
materials
 The calcium alginate is insoluble in
water, and its formation causes the
mixed material to gel.
 This reaction is irreversible, and it
is not possible to convert the
calcium alginate to a sol after it
has set.
Composition and Chemistry
of Alginate impression
materials
 Irreversible Chemical Reaction

Potassium alginate (+water) Calcium alginate

gel
+ ---------------  +
Calcium sulfate dihydrate Potassium sulfate

Powder + water ----- sol ------ gel

Composition and
Chemistry of Alginate
impression materials
 Composition of Alginate powder (% by wt)
-Potassium alginate 18%
-Calcium sulfate dihydrate 14%
-Potassium sulfate, potassium
zinc fluorite, silicates, or borates 10%
-Sodium phosphate 2%
-Diatomaceous earth or
silicate powder 56%
-Organic glycol small
-Wintergreen, peppermint trace
-Pigments trace
-Disinfectant (ammonium salts) 1-2%
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Potassium sulfate (18 %)

 To dissolve in water and react with

calcium ions.
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (14 %)

 Reactor.
 To react with potassium alginate to
form an insoluble calcium alginate gel.
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Potassium sulfate, potassium zinc
fluoride, silicates or borates (10 %)

 To counteract the inhibiting effect of the

hydrocolloid on the setting of gypsum,
giving a high-quality surface to the die.
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Sodium phosphate (2 %)

 Retarder.
 To react preferentially with calcium ions
to provide working time before gelation.
 Manufacturers adjust the concentration of
sodium phosphate to produce what are
called regular-set and fast-set alginates.
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Diatomaceous earth or silicate powder (56
%)

 Filler.
 To control the consistency of the mixed alginate
and the flexibility of the set impression.
 If added proper amount, can increase the
strength, stiffness of the alginate gel.
 Manufacturers adjust the concentration of filler to
control the flexibility of the set impression
material form what is called soft-set and hard-set
alginates.
Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder

Organic glycols (small %)

 To make the powder dustless.

 Coating the power with a glycol results in

a dustless alginate.
“Alginate powder is finely divided, and considerable dust
may be involved during dispensing. The dimensions of
10% to 15% of siliceous dust particles are similar to
asbestos fibers that produce fibrogenesis and
carcinogesis. With almost daily utilization of alginate
materials in dental office, the improper handling of these
material could be hazardous to the health of dental
personnel. Therefore inhalation of the dust should be
avoided.”

Woody et al, JADA 1977

Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Wintergreen, peppermint (trace)

 To provide a pleasant taste.

Function of each ingredient
of alginate impression
powder
Disinfectants (e.g., quaternary
ammonium salts and chlorhexidine) 1-2
%

 To help in the disinfection of viable

organisms
by up to 90 %.
(However, additional disinfection by solutions
or sprays should be carried out.)
Proportioning and Mixing
 Theproportioning of the powder
and water before mixing is critical
to obtaining consistent results.
Proportioning and Mixing
 Changes in the water/powder ratio will
alter the consistency and setting times
of the mixed material, and also the
strength and quality of the impression.

 Changes in the water/powder ratio will

not alter the accuracy.
Proportioning and Mixing
 The manufacturers usually provide
suitable containers for
proportioning the powder and
water by volume.
1 scoop = 7 g
1/3 measure of water = 19 ml
Proportioning and Mixing
 Too little water
Proportioning and Mixing
 Too much water
Proportioning and Mixing
 Smooth and creamy mix
Properties of Alginate
1. Working time
2. Setting time
3. Permanent deformation
4. Flexibility
5. Strength
6. Dimensional stability
7. Storage of Alginate
8. Sticking of Alginate
9. Surface quality of Stone
10. Compatibility with gypsum
11. Disinfection
ADA Specification No. 18
 Type I – Fast set
 Type II – Regular set
Working time
Total Mixing Working
Working time time
time remain
before
seated
Fast-set 1.25 to 2 45 seconds 30 to 75
(Type I) minutes seconds

Regular-set 3 to 5 60 seconds 2 to 3
(Type II) minutes minutes
Setting time
 Ranges from 1 to 5 minutes.

 ADA Specification No. 18 requires that it

be at least listed by the manufacturers
and at least 15 seconds longer than the
working time (no less than 1.25
minutes).
Setting time
 Jeltrate Caulk Dentsply
Fast set Regular
set
Mixing time 45 sec 60 sec
Total 1 min 30 2 min 15
working sec sec
time
Initial 1 min 45 2 min 30
setting time sec sec
Setting 2 min 30 3 min 30
time sec sec
Setting time
 Clinical significance:

1. Lengthening the setting is better

accomplished by reducing the temperature
of the water used with the mix than by
reducing the proportion of powder/water
ratio.

2. Setting time can be doubled by a water

temperature increase of 10 degree C.
Setting time
 Clinical significance (cont):

3. The clinical setting time is detected by a loss

of surface tackiness.

4. The impression should be left in place 2 to 3

minutes after the loss of tackiness because
the tear strength and resistance to permanent
deformation increase significantly during the
period.
Permanent deformation
 A typical alginate impression is
compressed about 10 % in areas of
undercuts during removal.

 The actual magnitude depends on the

extent of the undercuts and the space
between the tray and the teeth.
Permanent deformation
 ADA Specification No.18 requires that the
recovery from deformation be more than
95% when the material is compressed
20% for 5 seconds at the time it would
normally be removed from the mouth.

 A typical value for recovery from

deformation is 98.2%.
Permanent deformation
 Factors that cause Lower
permanent deformation (higher
accuracy):

 When the % compression is lower

 When the impression is under compression a
shorter time
 When the recovery time is longer
Permanent deformation
 Clinical significance:

1. A rapid or snap removal of the impression

from the mouth is favorable (less permanent
deformation).

2. Reasonable bulk of alginate between the tray

and the teeth is required.
Permanent deformation
“The optimum amount of bulk for alginate
impression material must be established to
obtain the maximum accuracy. A uniform
distribution of impression material, between 1/8
and ¼ inch thick (3-6 mm), in the tray when
impression is made, will aid materially in
preventing subsequent distortion of the
impression.”

Rudd, Morrow, Strunk, JPD 1969

Permanent deformation
Flexibility
 ADA Specification No. 18 permits a range
of 5% to 20% of flexibility at a stress of
1000 g/cm.

 Most alginate have a typical value of 14%

of flexibility.
Flexibility
 Clinical significance:

1. Reasonable amount of flexibility is required for

ease of removal of the impression.
Strength
 ADA Specification No. 18 requires
that certified products have a
compressive strength of at least
3570 g/cm.
Strength
 Typical alginate has:
1. Compressive strength of 5000-9000
g/cm
2. Tear strength of 380-700 g/cm

* Clinically the tear strength is more

important than the compressive
strength
Strength

MacPherson, Craig, Peyton, JPD 1967

Strength
 Dependent upon 3 factors:

1. Correct spatulation time.

2. Correct powder/water ratio.
3. Adequate time of setting in the mouth.
Dimensional stability
 Alginate impressions lose water by
evaporation and shrink on standing in
air. (Syneresis)

 Alginate impressions lacking in water

content, a sorption of water will occur
and expand. (Imbibition)
Dimensional stability
 For maximum accuracy, the model
material should be poured into the
alginate impression as soon as possible.

 Measurable distortion occurs if the cast

is not poured within 12 minutes.
Dimensional stability

Craig, MacPherson 1965

Storage of Alginate
 If for some reason the models cannot be
poured immediately, the impressions
should be stored in 100% relative
humidity in a bag or wrapped in wet
paper towels.
Sticking of Alginate
Occurs frequently when:

 Teeth are very clean.

 Teeth are too dry.
 Repeated impressions are made of the
arch.
Sticking of Alginate
If the alginate sticks to the teeth,
the impression and the cast will be
inaccurate.
Sticking of Alginate
 Prevention:

1. Use a prophylactic paste to which

silicone ointment has been added.
(thin film of silicone will usually
prevent sticking)
Surface Quality of Stone
 The set gypsum model should not
remain in contact with the alginate
impression for periods of several hours
because contact of the slightly soluble
calcium sulfate dihydrate with the
alginate gel containing a great deal of
water is detrimental to the surface
quality of the model.
Surface Quality of Stone
 Clinical Significance:

1. Friable, brittle, chalky surfaces can result

from moisture loss of stone by the
alginate.

2. Alginate impressions should be separated

from the cast 45 to 60 minutes after the
first pour.
Compatibility with Gypsum
 ADA Specification 18 of gypsum compatibility
determination:

 The stainless steel test block has seven 60 degree

angle grooves of the following specified width: 0.025
mm,
0.050 mm, 0.075 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, and
0.3 mm.
 To meet certification requirements, a gypsum cast
poured against an alginate impression must reproduce
the line
0.075 mm wide and must be smooth and nonchalky.
Compatibility of Gypsum
Compatibility with Gypsum
“ Di-Keen appeared to be more compatible with the
impression materials tested than were the other
stones; whereas, Jeltrate generally appeared to
be more compatible with the dental stones tested
than any of the other impression materials…
The Die-Keen – Jeltrate combination appeared to
be the most compatible combination.”

Gehl and Payne, JPD 1971

Disinfection
 Although many alginate powders
now contain disinfection agents,
disinfection of impressions is still
recommended.
Disinfection
 ADA recommendation (JADA 1988)
 Remove saliva, blood, and debris with tap
water and gently shake the alginate
impression to remove excess water.
 The surface of the alginate impression should
then be coated with a disinfectant that has
been accepted for use as a surface
disinfectant.
 The impression should then be sealed in a
plastic bag for the recommended disinfection
time, immediately after which the impression
should be cast in stone.
Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection
“Recent studies have concluded that the
efficacy of disinfection by immersion is
preferred because sprayed disinfectants
tends to pool and thus all impressions
may not have been adequately covered”

Johnson et al, JPD

1998
Disinfection
 The effect of disinfection in 1% sodium
hypochlorite
or 2% potentiated glutaraldehyde solutions on
accuracy and surface quality has been
measured after 10- to 30- minute immersion.
 Statistically significant dimensional changes
were observed, however, the changes were
0.1% and the quality of the surface was not
impaired.
 Such changes would be insignificant for clinical
applications
Disinfection
“Irreversible hydrocolloid impressions
can be immersed for disinfection
without compromising the accuracy
needed for diagnostic and opposing
casts, and removable partial denture
construction.”
Johnson et al, JPD 1998
Impression Trays
Impression Trays
Impression Trays
Impression Trays
“Irreversible hydrocolloid
impressions made in perforated
trays are more accurate than in
Rim-Lock trays for the production
of an accurate cast.”

Woodward et al, JPD 1985

Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
Alginate is easy to use because:
1. It sets rapidly.
2. It can be mixed easily with water
that is at room temperature.
3. It does not require the use of
expensive equipment.
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
“ The simplicity of the procedure
tends to lull the dentist into a sense
of well-being, and lead him into
using careless or sloppy
techniques”

Rudd, Morrow, Strunk JPD

1969
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Always use distilled or deionized water
for mixing alginate because many
different chemical in the tap water may
alter the optimum properties. (73
degree F / 23 degree C).
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Always add the alginate powder to the
water because if the water is added to
the powder, some remnants of unmixed
alginate material may be incorporated
into the mix and cause an inaccurate
impression.
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use modeling plastic impression
compound to build up the border of the
trays.
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use the wax to build border and distal
extension.
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use alginator for the better mix
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use injection technique
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use injection technique
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use injection techniques
Techniques For Making
Alginate Impressions
 Use injection technique
Good Alginate Impression
Good Alginate Impression
Good Alginate Impression
Pouring Alginate
Impressions
Pouring Alginate
Impressions
Pouring Alginate
Impressions
Pouring Alginate
Impressions
Questions?