D.M. Lab - ALGINATE

Alginate or alginate hydrocolloid according to Anusavice, John Kenneth is an irreversible impression material. It was developed as a substitute for the agar impression material when its supply became scarce during World War II. This material is based on a natural substance from a certain brown seaweed. The substance is called anhydro-B-d-mannuronic or alginic acid.

What is Alginate?

ease in manipulation
good surface details
non-toxic
inexpensive

Alginate

Because of its many advantages in terms of _____________, _______________, _____________ and ____________, Alginate is widely used in dentistry as an impression material at the present time.

Manual mixing
Mechanical mixing

What are the two ways in which we can mix the alginate impression material?

In manual procedure, the proper mixture of water and powder cannot be accurately determined. The Ideal water to powder ratio is 38ml of water for 16 gms of powder.

Describe the manual procedure of alginate mixing

Imbibition
Syneresis

What are the two dimensional changes in Alginate?

The absorption of water into the surface of the gel causing swelling

Define Imbibition

The evaporation of water from the surface of the gel causing shrinkage

Define Syneresis