Colloids are often classified as fourth

state of matter. Particles in the dispersed phase consists of molecules held together either by primary or secondary forces. Size of colloid particles ranges from 1 to 200 nm. Colloidal material used for impression (agar and alginate) are dissolved in water, and thus called as hydrocolloids.

SOL-GEL TRANSFORMATION
If a hydrocolloid contains an adequate concentration of dispersed phase, sol under certain conditions may change to a semisolid material known as gel. For agar, secondary bonds hold the fibrils, thus the process is reversible. For alginate, fibrils are formed by chemical action, and the transformation is not reversible.

USES
For cast duplication. Full mouth impressions without deep undercuts. Was used for crown and bridge impressions before elastomers came. As tissue conditioner

COMPOSITION
INGREDIENTS
Agar Borates(strengthening)

PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT
13-17% 0.2-0.5%

Potassium sulphate(accelerator) Wax, hard(fillers)

Thixotropic materials Alkylbenzoates Coloring and flavoring agents Water(reaction medium)

1-2% 0.5-1%
0.3-0.5% 0.1% TRACES >80%

MANIPULATION
Hydrocolloid conditioner Boiling section or liquefaction section Storage section Tempering section Water cooled rim lock trays

Manipulation includes: Liquefying the gel Placing it in impression tray Tempering it to lower temperature that patient can tolerate Maintaining it in fluid state to capture details of oral structures

Liquefy the hydrocolloid gel in boiling water Store in the sol condition at 65c Tray is filled and placed in water filled tempering container(~45c) for 3 to 10 min Syringe material is taken directly from storage compartment and applied to the prepared teeth Water soaked outer layer of tray is removed from container Tray is immediately brought into position and seated with light pressure

Tray must be held in the mouth until gelation has proceeded to a point at which gel strength is sufficient to resist deformation or fracture Gelation is accelerated by circulating cool water through tray for 3 to 5 min

Remove the impression with a snap as elastomeric impression materials exhibit viscoelastic behavior

PROPERTIES OF AGAR HYDROCOLLOIDS

SYNERISIS AND IMBIBITION
If immersed in water, it absorbs water by process known as imbibition Gel may also lose water by exuding fluid in a process known as syneresis When immersed in water they do not imbibe more than original content which was lost by evaporation

FLOW
Material is sufficient fluid to record the fine details

GELATION, LIQUEFACTION AND HYSTERISIS Gelation (solidification)37oc approximately Liquefaction (melting)60 to 70oc (higher than gelation temperature) Temperature lag between liquefaction and gelation is known as hysteresis ACCURACY AND DIMENSIONAL CHANGE Agar impressions are highly accurate at the time of removal from the mouth Shrink when stored in air or 100% relative humidity Expand when stored in water

WORKING AND SETTING TIME

Working time : 7-15 minutes Setting time : about 5 minutes Controlled by regulating the flow of water through the cooling tubes

TEAR AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS

Tear strength715 gm/cm2. Compressive strength8000 gm/cm2.

ADVANTAGES
Accurate dies can be prepared if the material is properly handled. It has good elastic properties and reproduces most undercut areas correctly. It has good recovery from distortion. It is palatable and well tolerated by the patient. It is cheap as compared to synthetic elastic materials. It can be reused when used as a duplicating material

DISADVANTAGES
Does not flow well when compared to newly available materials. It cannot be electroplated. During insertion or gelation, it may be painful to the patient. Tears relatively easily. Only one model can be poured. Extensive and expensive equipment is required. Although it can be reused, it is impossible to sterilize this material.

APPLICATIONS
It is used for impression making: When there are undercuts. In mouths with excessive flow of saliva. For partial dentures with clasps. For making preliminary impressions for complete dentures. For impressions to make study models and working casts. For duplicating models.

COMPOSITION
INGREDIENTS Sodium or potassium alginate Calcium sulphate (reactor)
% FUNCTIONS WEIGHT 15% 16%

Dissolves in water and reacts with calcium ions Reacts with potassium alginate and forms insoluble calcium alginate

Zinc oxide Potassium titanium fluoride(accelerator) Diatomaceous earth Sodium phosphate (retarder) Coloring and flavoring agent

4%
3% 60%

Acts as a filler Gypsum hardener

Acts as a filler 2% Reacts preferentially with calcium sulphate TRACES e.g. Wintergreen, peppermint and anice, orange etc.

GELATION PROCESS
A typical sol-gel reaction can be described as reaction of soluble alginate with calcium sulfate and the formation of an insoluble calcium alginate gel. A third water soluble salt is added to the solution to prolong the working time.
2Na3PO4+3CaSO4

K2n

Ca (PO ) +3Na SO Alg+nCaSO nK SO + Ca Alg

3 4 2 2 4 2 4 n

CONTROL OF GELATION TIME

Ideal gelation time is 3-4 minutes (at 20 C Room temperature) Gelation time is best controlled by adding retarders The dentist can best control the setting time by altering the temperature of the water for mixing alginate material
o

Colder the water-longer is the gelation time.

Warmer the water shorter is the gelation time.

Prepare a proper mixture of water and powder Water is first added to wet the mixing bowl and to ensure complete wetting of powder particles Mixture is placed on a suitable tray, which is then placed into the mouth Impression should not be removed from the mouth for atleast 3 min

Handle should be used minimally during breaking of seal(suction)

Pouring of the cast

PROPERTIES OF ALGINATE HYDROCOLLOID

TASTE AND ODOUR
Alginate has a pleasant smell and taste

FLEXIBILITY
It is about 14% at a stress of 1000 gm/cm2. Lower w/p ratio results in lower flexibility.

ELASTICITY AND ELASTIC RECOVERY

Alginate hydrocolloids are highly elastic About 93.7% of elastic recovery occurs. Permanent deformation is more for alginate (about 1.2%).

STRENGTH
Compressive strength5000-8000 gm/cm2. Tear strength350-700 gm/cm2. Factors affecting gel strength Too much or too little water reduces gel strength. Over and under mixing both reduce strength.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
Set alginates have poor dimensional stability due to evaporation, syneresis and imbibition.

 MIXING TIME For fast set alginate : 45 seconds For normal set alginate : 60 seconds OVER MIXING RESULTS Reduction in final strength as the gel fibrils are destroyed. Reduction in working time. UNDER MIXING RESULTS Inadequate wetting, lack of homogeneity and reduced strength. The mix being grainy and poor recording of detail.

 WORKING TIME Fast set alginate : 1.25 minutes Normal set alginate : 2 minutes GELATION TIME (SETTING TIME) Type I (fast set) : 1-2.0 minutes Type II (normal) : 2-4.5 minutes

ADVANTAGES
It is easy to mix and manipulate. Minimum requirement of equipment. Flexibility of the set impression. Accuracy if properly handled. Low cost. Comfortable to patient It is hygienic, as fresh material must be used for each impression. It gives a good surface detail even in the presence of saliva.

DISADVANTAGES
It cannot be electroplated. Distortion may occur without it being obvious if the material is not held steady while it is setting. Poor dimensional stability it cannot be stored for long time. Poor tear strength. Because of some of the above drawbacks, it is not recommended when a high level of accuracy is required, e.g. cast RPD, crown and bridge, etc.

OTHER APPLICATIONS AND HANDLING OF HYDROCOLLOIDS

LAMINATE TECHNIQUE Combined agar alginate technique Agar is in contact with teeth thus maximum surface detail is produced DUPLICATING MATERIAL Have the same composition as impression materials but water content is higher Agar and alginate content is lower, which influences their compressive strength and percentage permanent set

 MODIFIED ALGINATES
Available

in the form of a sol, containing water, but no source of calcium ions. A reactor of plaster of Paris can then be added to the sol. Two component system in the form of two pastes, one containing alginate sol and second containing calcium reactor

BIOCOMPATIBILITY
No

allergic or chemical reactions Thermal injury may result due to improper tempering Dustless alginate is preferred to minimize the risk of inhaling fine airborne particles from alginate that can cause silicosis and pulmonary hypersensitivity

 DIMENSIONAL STABILITY Once the impression is removed from the mouth exposed to air at room temperature, some shrinkage occur If it is immersed in water, swelling occur COMPATIBILITY WITH GYPSUM Water content of hydrocolloid impression inhibits the setting of gypsum at surface. A gypsum retarder can cause the surface of gypsum casts to be too soft to be used as dies

EFFECTS OF MISHANDLING
Agar Inadequate boiling, Storage temp. too low, storage time too long Alginate Improper mixing, prolonged mixing, excessive gelation, w/p ratio too low Effect Grainy material

Water soaked tray N/A material surface not removed, premature gelation Inadequate bulk, Inadequate bulk, Premature removal Prolong mixing

Separation of tray and syringe material Tearing

EFFECTS OF MISHANDLING
Agar Alginate Effect Gelation of syringe Undue gelation External bubbles material, prevents preventing flow, air flow incorporated during mixing

Material too cold Improper manipulation, Excess water left in impression

Moisture or debris on tissues Inadequate cleaning, excess water left in impression

Irregular shaped voids Rough or chalky stone model