INTRODUCTION

An accurate impression plays a

pivotal role in success of a prosthesis.
This accuracy develops through
thorough knowledge of impression
materials and in the ability of the
operator to understand the material.
An impression is an imprint or negative
likeness of the teeth and/or edentulous areas,
made in plastic material which becomes
hardened or set while in contact with the
tissue
-Heartwell
An impression is the perpetual preservation
of what already exists and not the meticulous
replacement of what is missing
- M.M.Devan

1756-german Philip praff recorded the first

attempt to obtain impression of dental arch
with wax and he was dentist to FREDDERICK
THE GREAT KING OF PRUSSIA.
1925Alphous poller of Vienna granted
British patent for an" improved material for
molding articles of all kinds.
1925 First tooth impression made INSIDE
MOUTH.
Used material for recording elevations and
depressions of duramater of skull.

IDEAL REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN AN

ACCURATE IMPRESSION
Fluid enough to adapt to the oral tissues
Viscous enough to be contained in the tray
adequate Setting time
Adequate tear resistance
Dimensionally stable
Biocompatible
Cost effective

- COLLOIDS Is a heterogeneous
mixture of two phases where two
phases are not readily differentiated.
Two phases
Dispersed phase- particles in a
solution. molecules held by primary or
secondary forces

Dispersion phase- solutions

suspending the particles.

COLLOIDS IN DENTISTRY
- Colloidal silica in resins
- Fillers in impression materials
4th

stage of matter
Size of particle 1 to 200nm.

HYDROCOLLOID Colloidal particles

suspended in water.

Sol appearance characteristic of viscous

liquid

Gel is a semisolid state, network of fibrils that

forms a weak brush heap structure.
All colloidal dispersions are termed sols
In the gel state, the dispersed phase
agglomerates, forming chains or fibrils
called micelles. The fibrils may branch
and intermesh to form a brush-heap
structure
Gel strength
DEPENDS ON
Concentration of dispersed phase
Temperature
Addition of modifiers such as fillers and
chemicals
Dimensional effects
Syneresis
Imbibition
HYDROCOLLOID

Reversible
(AGAR)

Irreversible
(ALGINATE)

AGAR- AGAR
(REVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOID)
Organic hydrophillic colloid which is a
galactose sulphate
Polysaccharide extracted from seaweeds
Sulphuric ester of a linear polymer of
galactose.
Agar - secondary bonds (weak) hold the
fibrils together- break at slightly elevated
temperatures and become re-established
as it cools to room temperature reversible
MODE OF SUPPLY

As gel in collapsible tube

Number of cylinders in a glass jar.
GELATION TEMPERATURE
Temp at which hydrocolloid material sets to
gel.

If temp higher than oral temperature of

37oc,material may injure soft tissue.
LIQUEFACTION TEMPERATURE
Gel heated to a temperature to return to sol
Temperature is(70-100oc)
Higher than gelation temperature
Temperature lag is hysteresis
Gelation process
Gel

Sol (70 100oC)

liquefaction

temperature
Sol
Gel (37 50oC)
gelation
temperature
Temperature lag makes it possible to use
agar as dental impression material.
VISCOSITY OF MATERIAL
Important role in impression material
Fillers and other modifiers like borate can
decrease viscosity.
Triple tray technique
Manipulation
preparation of material
Making of impression
Removal of impression
Conditioning unit
Liquefying : Placed in boiling water for 10 min
Storage: Stored in sol condition at 65oC
Tempering : at 45oC for 3-10 minutes
Making the Agar impression

Syringe material, directly taken from storage

compartment - applied on to the prepared
tooth
Tray hydrocolloid is removed from the
tempering basin, outer layer removed and
impression made.
Gelation is accelerated by circulating cool
water (18-21oC) through the tray for 3-5 min.
perforated water cooled tray to circulate
water so that material gels fast.
Wet Field Technique

LAMINATE TECHNIQUE (ALGINATE

AGAR METHOD)
The tray hydrocolloid is replaced with a
mix of chilled alginate that bonds to the
syringe agar

Alginate gels by a chemical reaction

Agar gels by means of contact with the
cool hydrocolloid.
ADVANTAGES
Maximum detail is produced
as hydrocolloid and not alginate is in
contact with prepared tooth
SHORT COMINGS
Bond between agar and alginate is
not always strong.
Higher viscosity alginate displaces
the agar during seating.
Dimensional accuracy of alginate
limits the use to single units.
PROPERTIES
FLOW sufficiently fluid to record details if
correctly manipulated

GELATION TEMPERATURE agar sol should

revert to a gel at temp of 37.c(98.6 f)
FLEXIBILITY when removed from mouth
flexibility should e 4-15%,when a stress of
14.2 psi is applied. on an average flexibility
of 11% is desired
ELASTICITY AND ELASTIC RECOVERY
occurs to extent of 98.8%
ACCURACY AND DIMENSIONAL CHANGES
least dimensional changes occur when stored
in 100% humidity, prompt pouring is
recommended
Reproduction limit a reproduction limit up to
25um is achievable.

WORKING AND SETTING TIME ranges

between 7-15 min and setting time is 15 min.
TEAR AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
tear strength tear strength of 4 psi and
compressive strength of 116psi
ADVANTAGES
Accurate dies can be prepared, if material is
handled properly.
Produces most undercut areas correctly
Well tolerated by patients
Cheap as compared to elastic materials.
DISADVANTAGES
Cannot be electroplated
Painful during insertion/gelation.

Tears easily
Expensive armantarium required
Impossible to sterilize material
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
After 1 hour shrinks in air
.15% in another one hour shrinks
Syneresis and imbibition make it
dimensionally unstable
Storage in 100%humidity makes it
dimensionally stable
DISINFECTION
Even though unsuitable with disinfectant
solution, Powell showed that IODOPHOR
disinfectant prevents microbial growth.

Other agents may be bleach or

gluteraldehyde.

APPLICATIONS
Full mouth impressions without deep
undercuts.
Quadrant impressions without deep
undercuts and single impressions.
Duplicating dental casts and models.

Crown and bridge impressions because of

accuracy.
ALGINATE
(IRREVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOID)

Developed as a substitute for the agar

impression material when its supply become
scarce during World War II
A chemist from Scotland perceived that
certain brown seaweed (algae) succumbs an
atypical mucous extraction
anhydro-B-d-mannuronic acid or
alginic acid (insoluble in water)

England chemist received patent for

using alginate as dental impression
material
United States-1945
Introduced alginate during World War
II.

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH?????

Diatoms are tiny, single-celled algae

found in plankton. Diatomaceous earth is
a fine, white, crystalline powder made up
of the fossilized shells of diatoms.
Lightweight, gritty, and porous.

Diatomaceous earth is the remains of

microscopic phytoplankton, similar to coral,
found in prehistoric freshwater sea beds.
DE is approximately
3% magnesium,
86% silicon, 5% sodium,
2% iron

and trace minerals such as titanium, boron,

manganese, copper and zirconium
MODE OF SUPPLY
As powder
In bulk in tin or sachets
In preweighed individual containers
I. According to concentration of
sodium phosphate
Fast set
1.25 2min
Regular set
3 4.5 min
II. According to concentration of filler
Soft set
Hard set
Soluble alginate + calcium sulfate
calcium

Insoluble
alginate

gel
trisodium phosphate
(retarder)

NA3PO4+3CASO4-----CA3PO4+3NA2SO4

SODIUM ALGINATE+CASO4+H20---CALCIUM ALGINATE+NA2SO4

Final set structure differs from agar in that

these are held together by primary bonds
rather than intermolecular forces so no effect
of temperature.

The fibrils are formed by chemical action irreversible

GELATION TIME
Amount of retarder added
(manufacturer)
By altering the temperature of water.

colder the waterlonger is gelation

time
Warmer the water-shorter is gelation
time

Cooling mixing bowl and spatulaprolong the gelation time

MANIPULATION
Preparing the mix
Loading the tray
Seating tray
Removal of impression
MIXING OF ALGINATE
The measured powder is sifted into premeasured water

A vigorous figure 8 motion, with the mix

being stropped against the sides of rubber
mixing bowl with intermittent rotations
180 degrees of spatula to press out air
bubbles
Mixing time between 45 secs 1 min
smooth creamy mixture
LOADING TRAY
Sufficient bulk of material to be inserted for
Impression material should adhere to tray so
that it can be withdrawn from around teeth.
Thickness of alginate impression between
tray and mouth 3mm atleast
Adhesives used in plastic or rim lock trays
SEATING TRAY
Saliva to be wiped off from palate
To be held in place firmly without any
movement.
Strength increases after gelation
2-3 min after gelation tray to be kept in mouth
Tackiness lost during this time.
REMOVAL OF IMPRESSION
Impression to be removed with a jerk.

Gentle ,long continued pull causes tearing of

impression.
Causes deformation.
Pouring as soon as possible.
Permanent deformation : 1-1.5% for 10%
strain
Flexibility : 14% at a stress of 1000 g /cm2
Strength : Compressive strength= 50009000 g/cm2
Tear strength= 380-700 g / cm
COMPATIBILITY WITH GYPSUM
To overcome surface softness of gypsum
cast for waxing procedures from a
hydrocolloid impression material
immersing impression in solution containing
accelerator for setting of gypsum
incorporating plaster hardener in material
HARDENING AGENT PREVENTS
Syneresis
Retarding action of gel

Zinc sulphate,magnese sulfate, potash alum,

titanium fluoride
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY AND SHELF LFE
AIR looses water by evaporation and shrinks
WATERAbsorbs water and swells
If held in mouth for 6 to 7 min,distortion
occurs
Short shelf lie
STORAGE
Should be poured at once, however storage if
becomes necessary then in
In wet paper towel
In plastic bag
humidor

If storage is unavoidable, keeping in

environment 100% relative humidity
results in least dimensional change.
BIOCOMPATIBILITY
Fine silica particles become airborne from the
can when lid is removed
silicosis and
pulmonary hypersensitivity
Incorporation of glycerin to agglomerate
alginate particles to reduce dusting
ADVANTAGES
Easy to mix
Minimum equipment
Flexibility of set impression
Low cost
Comfortable to patient
DISADVANTAGES
Not accurate for crown and bridge
impressions

Cannot be corrected

RECENT ADVANCES IN ALGINATE

HIGH TEAR STRENGTH ALGINATES
Silicon reinforced 2 paste system
CHROMATIC ALGINATE
Sodium Silico Fluoride --PH Controller
DUST FREE ALGINATE
organic glycol---- dedusting agent

SOFT SET AND HARD SET-according to

filler content
ALGINATE WITH DISINFECTANT
SOLUTION
ALGINATE WITH DISINFECTANT
SOLUTION
Alginate compatible with disinfectant solutions
such

as sodium hypochlorite,
gluteraldehyde chlorhexidine and
organic peracetic acid
A quaternary ammonium salt has been added
to alginate powder, BLUE PRINT ASEPT.
And it provides high degree of disinfection
when compared with plain material.
BDJ.(1990,169:83)
F GHANI,J.A KIRK,M,.WILSON
APPLICATIONS
Impression making
when undercuts are present
in mouth with excessive flow of saliva
For partial dentures with clasps
Preliminary impressions for complete
dentures.
For duplicating models.
Making impressions for orthodontic and study
models

Preparation of athletic mouth protectors for

sports people.
CAUSES TO REMAKE HYDROCOLLOID
IMPESSIONS
CONCLUSION
The need to understand and evaluate
the composition, properties and
handling characteristics of impression
materials is vital as it helps us use
materials in a better and more rational
manner thereby eliminating causes of
failures