Alginate

Impression making
 The beginning of
a good denture
starts with making
of a good
impression, so a
good impression is
a stepping stone..
Irreversible Hydrocolloid (Alginate)
Most widely used
impression material
Indications
study models
removable fixed partial dentures
framework

Examples
Jeltrate (Dentsply/Caulk)
Coe Alginate (GC America)

Phillips Science of Dental Materials 1996

 Types of trays
CUSTOM TRAY
STOCK TRAYS
PERFORATED TRAYS

NON PERFORATED TRAYS

 Armamentarium
Patient drape
Impression trays
Flexible rubber bowl
Stiff spatula
Saliva ejector
Alginate of choice
Utility wax
Disinfecting agent
STEPS IN MAKING AN
IMPRESSION
Patient position- maxillary
impression
Patient position- mandibular
impression
Operator position
SEATING OF THE PATEINT

Position of the operator for Position of the operator for

maxillary impression mandibular impression
( 11 O CLOCK) (7 O CLOCK)
 Sitting dentistry
Forearm should be parallel to the
floor.
Thigh should be parallel to the
floor.
Hip angle of 90 degrees.
Seat height positioned low enough
for the heels of your feet should
touch the floor.
Avoid positioning legs behind the
chair position.
Back of the operator should always
be straight.
Head erect and should not be bent
or dropping
Criteria for Selecting
Appropriate Trays
Tray clears all tissues by at least 4 mm.
Tray is long enough to cover part of
retromolar pads or tuberosity
Tray sides fall at least 4 mm short of
periphal turn
Tray sides do not grossly depress any
frenum
Patient should not feel pain or excessive
pressure
 SELECTION OF IMPRESSION TRAY

MAXILLARY TRAY

MANDIBULAR TRAY

 SEQUENCES OF IMPRESSION
MAKING

Ask the patient to rinse the mouth ,Prior to

making the impression

Make mandibular impression first -less

chance of the patient to gag .

Seat the patient upright so as to prevent the

gagging.
Advice the patient to breath through the
nose.
 Manipulation
Weigh powder- 38ml/16gms
Powder added to water
rubber bowl
vacuum mixer
Mixed for 45 sec to 1 min
Place tray
Remove 2 to 3 minutes
after gelation (loss of tackiness)

Caswell JADA 1986

 SEATING THE IMPRESSION TRAY

MANDIBULAR IMPRESSION
MAXILLARY IMPRESSION.
Impression Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria
All detail is reproduced, including the
complete peripheral turn and a portion of the
retromolar pads or tuberosities
Detail is sharp, not blurred or indistinct
Free of voids in critical areas
Free of large folds of alginate
No areas where alginate has pulled away from
the tray
Free of rips and tears except in interproxinal
areas
Alginate thoroughly covers the tray, no tray
visible through alginate
Free of bulges or depressions that indicate a
sub-surface bubble
Alginate is smooth, not sponge-like
Advantages
Inexpensive
Easy to use
Hydrophilic
displace moisture, blood, fluids
Stock trays

Phillips Science of Dental Materials 1996

Disadvantages
Tears easily
Dimensionally unstable
immediate pour
single cast
Lower detail reproduction
unacceptable for fixed prosthodontics
High permanent deformation
Difficult to disinfect

Phillips Science of Dental Materials 1996

 CAUSES OF FAILURE

1. Grainy material Improper mixing

Prolong mixing
Undue gelation
Water : powder ratio too low

2. Tearing Inadequate bulk

Moisture contamination
Premature removal from mouth
Prolong mixing

3. External bubbles Undue gelation, preventing flow

Air incorporated during mixing
4. Irregularly shaped voids Moisture or debris on tissue

5. Rough and chalky stone Inadequate cleansing of

model impression
Excess water or potassium
sulfate solution left in
impression
Premature removal of model

6. Distortion Impression not poured

immediately
Movement of tray during
gelation
Premature removal from mouth