Model and Die Materials

Dr. Arti

Introduction
Replicas of the hard and soft tissues. Models, casts or dies Models used for observation of the patients oral structures (eg. Study models) Cast working model Dies extremely accurate replicas of a single tooth Made from impression and therefore accuracy is dependent on accurate impression

Desirable Qualities
Accurate Dimensional stability Ability to reproduce fine detail Strength and resistance to abrasion Ease of adaptation to the impresssion Color Safety Is compatible with many impression materials

MATERIALS
1. Gypsum Model plaster Dental stone Die stone 2. Epoxy

Model Plaster
used as a general purpose material mainly for bases and models as it is cheap and easy to use and shape. Used for study models (Does not require abrasion resistance) Orthodontic plaster (Dental plaster) Impression plaster

Dental Stone
Stronger and durable compared to plaster Used for models of the mouth

More resistant to abrasion Used for casts (working model)

Die Stone
for individual tooth models Require high abrasion resistance and strength Made of high strength dental stone

Chemical and Physical Nature

Physical form of plaster, stone and die differ but are made of the same chemical calcium sulfate. Dihydrate form of calcium sulfate gypsum Mineral gypsum - source of plaster of paris

Gypsum products are obtained from the gypsum rock.

Composition - Gypsum
Gypsum products are heated to a temperature to drive off some water and therefore in the form of calcium sulphate hemihydrate Higher temperatures the anhydrite is formed The three basic raw materials (plasters, hydrocal, densite) are derived from the partial dehydration of the gypsum rock, depending on the dehydration process. Calcium sulphate hemihydrate produces versions of gypsum with different properties and hence different applications. The plaster, stone and die are chemically identical differing only in form and structural detail.

Manufacture of Plaster
Gypsum mineral is heated in an open kettle at a temperature of approx 115 deg Hemihydrate powder produced is called calcium hemihydrate Has irregular shape Porous in nature

Manufacture of Dental Stone

Produced by dehydrating gypsum under pressure and in the presence of steam at 125 deg Product is called hydrocal calcium sulfate hemihydrate Crystals are more uniform in shape, larger and denser than crystals of plaster.

Manufacture of High Strength Dental Stone

Made by boiling gypsum rock in a 30%^solution of calcium chloride Chloride is washed away with water (100 deg) Material is ground to the desired fineness

Setting Process
Some calcium sulphate hemihydrate dissolves in the water The dissolved calcium sulphate hemihydrate reacts with the water and revert to form calcium sulphate dihydrate This reaction gives of heat and thus is exothermic

Amount of water needed to mix needs to be controlled. For instance 19mL of water is sufficient to react with all hemihydrate particles in 100g of hemihydrate to form dihydrate. However this does not give a suitable consistency for it to be manipilated and for it to flow into an impression.

Setting Process
Hence excess water must be added to form a workable consistency. Too thin a mix is also discouraged as this will produce model or cast of inferior and weaker quality Due to the different crystalline size and porosity amongst plaster, stone and high strength stone, different amounts of excess water is needed. High strength stone requires the least excess water whereas plaster needs the most. Presence of excess water has an effect on physical properties. Upon setting of the material, water evapourates and leaves voids which makes the density of the material lesser. Hence plaster is the least dense where as high density stone is most dense.

Accelerators and Retarders

Rate of gypsum reaction can be altered by chemicals Accelerators make the dihydrate less soluble than hemihydrate, so the reaction is moved towards the dihydrate forming the solid rapidly. Example potasium sulfate Retarder make the hemihydrate only slightly less soluble than the dihydrate which makes

Accelerators and Retarders

Other acclerators and retarders: Terra alba (accelerator)

Colloidal particles such as blood, saliva and unset alginate retard by binding to hemihydrate particles and interfering with water being added to it.
This produces a structure which is soft and a

Hardening Solutions
Commercial solutions available which can be mixed in place of water which hardens the gypsum and also increases abrasion resistance. Solutions composed of water, 30% colloidal silica, and other chemical modifiers.

Temperature and Humidity

Setting of gypsum is affected by the temperature of the water. From room temperature to body temperature, setting time decreases.

Above 37.5 deg, setting time will increase.

At 100deg, hemihydrate will not set at all.

Temperature and Humidity

Gypsum products are hygroscopic absorb water from air. Hence when left in open air for several days, hemihydrate particles will become dihydrate.

Working and Setting Times

The material must be mixed and poured before it reaches the end of its working time. Vary from product to product and are chosen to suit the particular application.

Properties
Dimensional stability Once the material has set, there is little or no dimensional change. Compressive strength affected by P/L ratio. Reduction of water improves compressive strength. Tensile Strength Plaster is very low when wet. Dental stone has twice the tensile strength of plaster.

Properties
Setting Time Divided into initial and final setting time Initial when powder and water is mixed and mix can no longer be poured into the impression Observed when material loses its gloss. Indication hemihydrate has used up the water and surface water has been drawn into the material. At this stage material is still weak.

Properties
Final Setting Time When conversion of hemihydrate to dihydrate is complete. Detected by the dissipation of the heat of reaction.

Properties
Reproduction of Detail Measured by the ability of the gypsum product to flow into and register fine details For die materials it is extremely important as precision casting will be fabricated on gypsum die. To capture the most details the model and die

Properties
Gypsum is a water based material and thus wets water based impression materials such as alginate well.

As for non water based impression materials such as addition silicones, wetting is reduced. This limits the ability of the gypsum product to flow into all details of the impression and increases the risk of bubble formation.

Properties
Strength Ability of the material to resist fracture

Compressive strength: Plaster has the lowest as it has the most excess water High strength die stone is four times stronger in compression.

Properties
Tensile Strength Brittle materials and tend to fracture during bending forces. Higher tensile strength in high strength stone and model stone than in model plaster. Strength of model and die is half when wet compared to when it is dry

Properties
Hardness and Abrasion Resistance Important as practitioner requires little or no loss of shape to occur on the model during its manipulation. Directly related to compressive strength Improved in dry conditions and use of hardening solutions

Properties
Dimensional Stability Ideally expansion and contraction is not favoured.

However gypsum materials expand slightly upon setting. Model plaster expands the most whereas high strength die stone expands the least.

Manipulation
Powder and water combination Spatulation Pouring the model

The End!!!!!!!
Reference: Craig. R.G, Powers. J.M, Wataha. J.C, (2000), Dental Materials Properties and Manipulation, Mosby, Missouri. Craig. R.G., Powers. J.M., (2002), Restorative Dental Materials, Mosby, Missouri