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You are here: Home / Restorative Dentistry / Taking an Exquisite Alginate

Taking an Exquisite Alginate

By Lee Ann Brady on 12.03.12Category: Restorative Dentistry

One of the things we work on often int he practice is improving the quality of our alginate impressions. They are one of the critical factors in our success, and yet something we often take for granted that we do well. Small inaccuracies in an alginate can introduce errors that then get magnified downstream in the restorative process. The accuracy begins with selection of the proper tray size and customizing it with rope wax. Once we have the tray picked out and customized we are ready for the alginate. There are a variety of alginates on the market. Deciding which one to use is about the properties you prefer, like color change or double pour and the handling properties.  Working with alginate is the same no matter which brand you use. Measuring the powder and the liquid is one of the critical steps and is often not done. We think we can mix alginate without measuring, and we are correct. the challenge is it will set even when the proportions are off, but we don’t know when to pull it from the mouth if we haven;t measured. Pulling an alginate too soon or too late will affect the accuracy as it can introduce distortion. When you measure you simply have to follow the manufacturers directions on the timing of the set.

Mix the alginate thoroughly so that there are no color streaks or areas of powder that is not wet. Once mixed I place a small amount of alginate on the counter and load a monoject syringe that has had the tip cut off. While my assistant is loading the tray I use the monoject syringe and inject around the vestibule. I then seat the tray over the second molars first, and roll in over the centrals. this allows me to see to seat the posterior and the excess to be expressed to the anterior for patient comfort. I hold the impression in place for the entire set time to prevent movement. Once set I have the patient close to create room in the buccal space. Using the pad of my finger I push on the posterior labial flange of the tray until I hear the suction release. I then move to the opposite side and do the same process. Finally I can use the tray handle to remove the impression. Do not use the handle to release the suction as you will pull the alginate from the tray int he posterior and introduce distortion.

Lastly Evaluate the impression making sure you had adequate material in the vestibule and have a nice roll, did not perforate the alginate on the cusp tips of the teeth or have any voids. If you do pull it out of the tray and do the impression again. Otherwise, wrap the impression in a wet paper towel until you can pour and hang from a Z tree.

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Comments

  1. Rick says

    December 5, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Dr. Brady
    Like your blog great tip. If you take the remaining alginate in the syringe and apply a bead on the occlusal surface, will that help to reduce the bubbles we often have to remove from the castings?

    Regards Rick

    Reply
    • Lee Ann Brady says

      December 5, 2012 at 10:09 AM

      Rick, yes you can inject alginate onto the occlusal tables as well.

      Lee

      Reply
  2. Diane McIntyre says

    December 7, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    It’s always the basics that makes the big difference!
    Thanks for the tips. Will share with my team. Happy Holidays :)

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:11 PM

    Please help me out. When using a none adhesive tray. How come the set alginate separates from the tray when you remove the tray out of the patients mouth? What can cause this to happen?

    Reply
    • Lee Ann Brady says

      May 12, 2021 at 10:22 AM

      Removal should start at the posterior on the buccal flange to separate the suction. Do not remove by the handle or from the anterior. Rim lock, or lots of retention holes will help.

      Reply
  4. Rob says

    November 28, 2022 at 4:19 AM

    Hi thanks for the tips!
    For the maxillary impression, when we break the seal posteriorly on one side, then the other, then finally from the handle to gently dislodge the tray. Would this introduce distortion to the alginate as the material is manipulated over the teeth in these few seconds? Or is this insignificant? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lee Ann Brady says

      December 6, 2022 at 9:29 AM

      No, this is exactly the right way to remove an alginate, and as long as ther set time has been appropriate you will not create distortion.

      Reply
      • Rob says

        December 7, 2022 at 5:54 AM

        what if there is a lot of resistance in attempting to break the posterior seal with my fingers?

        Reply
  5. Rob says

    December 7, 2022 at 5:59 AM

    Hi, what if there is a lot of resistance when trying to break the posterior seal with my finger? I am worried pushing further and harder on the alginate flange will distort it as well. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lee Ann Brady says

      December 7, 2022 at 11:53 AM

      In truth I have never encountered so much resistance that this becomes an issue,. it usually takes very little effort to release the suction on an alginate. Now with VPS that is a different issue.

      Reply

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