The document provides a comprehensive overview of hydrocolloids used in dental impression materials, detailing their history, classification, and ideal requirements. It discusses the characteristics and manipulation of both reversible (agar) and irreversible (alginate) hydrocolloids, as well as recent advancements and their advantages and disadvantages. Key properties and changes in hydrocolloid materials, such as gelation processes and effects of temperature on impression quality, are also highlighted.

1. Hydrocolloids
Contents:
1. Introduction.
2. History.
3. Ideal requirements.
4. Classification of impression materials.
5. Impression materials.
Hydrocolloids:
a). Alginate.
b). Agar.
7. Recent advances.
8. References.
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2. Hydrocolloids
INTRODUCTION:
Constructing a model or cast is an important step in numerous dental procedures. Various
types of cast & models can be made from gypsum products using an impression mold or
negative likeness of a dental structure. An impression is a negative replica of the tissue of the
oral cavity. It is used to register or reproduce the form and relation of the teeth & surrounding
tissue.
HISTORY:

1558 - Celline described a wax model to make impression in his book MEMORIES.

1700 - Matheus G. Purenam suggested that wax models can be used in prosthetic work.

1728 – Pierre Fauchard described various impression materials in his book LE
CHIRURGEEN DENTISTE.

1756 – Persian Phillip Pfaff first used plaster models prepared from sectional wax
impression of the mouth.

1810 – R C Skinner describe about many materials and techniques in his first American
book.

1928 – ADA developed specification No. 19 for impression material

1930 – Zinc Oxide Eugenol a rigid impression was introduced

1930 – Polysulfide was first used as a commercial synthetic rubber as a copolymer of
Ethylene Chloride & sodium.

1937 – Agar was introduced by Sears.

1949 – Alginate was developed during World war II.

1950 – Polysulfide was used in dentistry.

1955 – Condensation Silicone was introduced in Germany.
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3. Hydrocolloids

1975 – Addition Silicone was introduced.

1977 – Costell introduced Dual tray technique.

1980 – A Visible light cure Polyether Urethane Dimethacrylate rubber impression material
was introduced.

1996 – Blare & Wassed considered a no. of solution used to disinfecting impression
material.
IDEAL REQUIREMENTS OF IMPRESSION MATERIAL:
1. Pleasant taste & odor
2. Not contain any toxic & irritating ingredients
3. Adequate shelf life
4. Satisfactory consistency and texture
5. Easy to disinfect with out loss of accuracy
6. Compatible with die and cast material
7. Dimensional stability
8. Good elastic properties
9. Easy manipulation
10. Adequate setting characteristics
11. High degree of reproduction details
12. Adequate strength
13. Should not release any gas
14. Economical
15. Should not be technique sensitive.
Classification of impression materials:
Impression materials can be classified into various types based on the following
characters:
1. Based on rigidity/elasticity: a. Rigid (non-elastic).
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4. Hydrocolloids
b. Elastic.
2. Based on viscosity: a. Mucostatic.
b. Mucocompressive.
c. Pseudoplastic.
3. Based on setting of material: 1. a. chemical reaction.
b. Physical change of state.
2. a. reversible.
b. Irreversible.
4.Based on interaction with saliva/water: 1. Hydrophobic.
2. Hydrophilic.
5.Based on chemistry:1. Impression Plaster.
2. Impression compound.
3. Metal oxide (zinc oxide eugenol).
4. Reversible hydrocolloid.
5. Irreversible hydrocolloid.
6. Poly sulfides.
7. Condensation silicones.
8. Addition silicones.
9. Polyether.
10. Visible light curing polyether urethane dimethacrylate.
6.Based on use: 1. Primary impression materials.
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5. Hydrocolloids
2. Secondary impression materials.
3. Duplicating materials.
HYDROCOLLOIDS:

Colloids are often classified as fourth state of matter, the Colloidal state. In a solution
of sugar in water, the sugar molecules are uniformly dispersed in the water & there is
no visible physical separation between the solute & the solvent molecules. If sugar
molecules replaced with large & visible particles such as sand, the system is
Suspension or if molecules are liquid such vegetable oil, then system is Emulsion.

True solution exists as a single phase. However, both the colloid & the suspension
have to phase- The dispersed & Dispersion phase. In the colloid, the particles in the
dispersed phase consist of molecules held together either by primary or secondary
force. The size of the particles range is 1 – 200nm.
Gels:

Colloids with a liquid as the dispersion medium can exist in two different forms
known as Sol & Gel.

A sol has the appearance & many characteristic of a various liquid.

A gel, on the contrary, is a semi solid & produced from a soldering process of gelation
by the formation of fibrils or chains called Micelles.

Gelation is the conversion of a sol to gel, & the temperature at which this occurs is
called Gelation Temperature.
Gelation may be brought about in one of these ways:

Lowering the temperature:- It is done by reducing the thermal energy of effectively. These
forces are secondary molecular forces. The bond between the fibrils is weak & they break
at slightly elevated temperature. Gelation temp. is 37-50degree centigrade.
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6. Hydrocolloids

Liquefaction temperature:- It is considerable higher than gelation temp. & this property is
known as Hysteresis. This temp. is between 70 -100 degree centigrade.

Chemical reaction:- Gelation may also induced by chemical reaction, where in the
dispersed phase of soil is allowed to react with a substance to give a different type of
dispersed phase. The process is not reversed by an increased temperature.
Types of Hydrocolloids:
REVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOIDS: - Reversible hydrocolloids are those sol can be
changed to gel, but gel can’t be reversed back to the solution.
Eg: Alginate impression material.
IRREVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOIDS: - Irreversible hydrocolloids are those materials,
where the change from the sol to gel can be brought by lowering the temp. of the sol & the
gel can be converted back to sol condition by heating.
Eg: Agar – Agar.
ALGINATE IRREVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOID
•
The word alginate comes from Algin & named by a chemist of Scotland. It was identified
as a liner polymer with numerous carboxyl acid groups. It is called as irreversible
hydrocolloids because gelation is induced by chemical reaction & transformation is not
possible. It is the most widely used dental materials.
•
The principal factors responsible for the success of this type of impression materials are:-
•
Easy to manipulate
•
Comfortable for the patients.
•
Relatively inexpensive.
Composition:
 Potassium or Sodium Alginate:- 15%
It is the chief active ingredient
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7. Hydrocolloids
 Calcium Sulfate:- 16%
It is used as a reactor.
 Zinc Oxide & Diatomaceous Earth:-
Zinc oxide – 4% & Diatomaceous
earth 60%
 Potassium Titanium Fluoride :- 3%
 Sodium Phosphate :- 2%
Gelation Process:

The typical sol-gel reaction is a soluble alginate with calcium sulfate & the formation of an
insoluble calcium alginate gel. Calcium sulfate reacts rapidly to produce the in soluble Ca
alginate from the potassium or sodium alginate in a aqueous solution. The production of
calcium alginate is rapid that it does not allow sufficient working time. Thus third water
soluble salt, such as a trisodium phosphate, is added to the solution to prolong the working
time. Thus the reaction between the calcium sulfate & the soluble alginate is prevented as
long as there is uncreated trisodium phosphate.

2Na3Po4 +n CaSo4 →nKaSo4 +Ca. alginate

When the supply of the trisodium phosphate is exhausted, the ca ions begin to react with
the
potassium
alginate
to
produce
calcium
alginate.
Kzn Alg +n CaSo4→ n KaSo4 + Cal. alginate

The added salt is retarder.
Controlling of gelation time: An increase in the temp. of water used for mixing, shorten the working & setting
time.
 The proportion of powder & water also effect the setting time.
PROPERTIES:

Alginate is of two types
Type I: - Fast setting
Type II: - Normal setting.
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8. Hydrocolloids
According to ADA Specification No. 18 properties are:1. Mixing time:- Creamy consistency come in 45 – 60 sec.
2. Working time:- Fast setting material: - 1.2 – 2 min
- Normal set material: - 2 – 4.5 min
3. Setting or gelation time:- Optimum gelation time: - 3-4 min at room temp.
- For fast setting material: - 1 -2 min
- For normal setting material: - 2 – 4.5min
4. Permanent deformation: -
ADA specification requires 97% recovery & where 3% is
permanent deformation. Alginate has 98.8% recovery & 1.5 % permanent deformation.
5. Flexibility:-
ADA specification permits10 – 20% at the stress of 1000gm/ cm2. Hard
material has value of 5-8%.
6. Strength:The compressive strength:- 5000-8000gm/cm2
Tear strength
:- 350-700gm/cm2
7.Viscoelasticity:
Usually an alginate impression material does not adhere to the oral tissue as strongly as some
of the non aqueous elastomers, so it is easy to remove the alginate impression rapidly.
8.Accuracy:
Most
alginate is not capable of reproducing the finer details that are absorbed in impression with
Agar & other elastomeric impression material.
9. Dimensional effects: - The gel may loss water by evaporation from its surface & it shrinks.
- If the gel placed in the water it absorbed water & gel swells.
- Thermal change also contributes to dimensional change. The alginate shrinks slightly due to
difference in temp. between mouth temp.(30·c) & room temp(23·c).
10. Biocompatibility :No chemical or allergic reaction associated with alginate.
11. Shelf life :-
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9. Hydrocolloids
Alginate impressions have shorter shelf life. Strong temp. & moisture contamination are two
factor which effect the self life of alginate.
MANIPULATION OF ALGINATE:
PREPARING THE MIX
A measured powder is shifted into pre measured water, that has been placed in a clean
rubber bowl. Care should be taken to avoid whipping air into the mix. A vigorous figure 8
motion is best, with the mix being swiped or stropped against the side of the mixing rubber
bowl with intermittent rotation ie.180 degree of the spatula to press out air bubbles. The
mixing time is 45sec -1 min.
A variety of mechanical devices are also available for mixing impression material.
There benefits are convenience, speed & elimination of human error.
MAKING THE IMPRESSION
Before setting the impression, the material should have developed sufficient body so
that it doesn’t flow out of the try. A perforated tray is generally used. If plastic try or metal
rim lock try is selected a thin layer of adhesive should be applied & allowed to dry before
mixing and loading the try. The thickness of the alginate between the tray & tissue should
be at least 3mm.
Recent developments:
1. Dust-free alginates:

Inhaling fine airborne particles from alginate impression material can cause
silicosis and pulmonary hypersensitivity.

Dustless alginates were introduced which give off or no dust particles so avoiding
dust inhalation. This can be achieved by coating the material with glycerine or
glycol. This causes the powder to become more denser than in uncoated state.
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10. Hydrocolloids
2. Siliconised alginates:

It is a two component system in the form of two pastes, one containing the
alginate sol and the second containing the calcium reactor.

The components incorporate a silicone polymer component which makes material
tear resistant compared to unmodified alginates. However the dimensional
stability is reported to be poor.
3. Low dust alginate impression material:
 Introduced by Schunichi, Nobutakwatanate in 1997.
 This composition comprises an alginate a gelation regulator and a filler as major
components which further comprises sepiolite and a tetraflouroethylene resin
having a true specific gravity of from 2-3.
 The material generates less dust, has a mean particle size of 1-40microns.
4. Antiseptic alginate impression material:
 Introduced by Tameyuki Yamamoto, Maso Abinu patented in 1990.
 An antiseptic containing alginate impression material contains 0.01 to 7 parts by weight
of an antiseptic such as glutaraldehyde and chlohexidine gluconate per 100 parts by
weight of a cured product of an alginate impression material.
 The antiseptic may be encapsulated in a microcapsule or clathrated in a cyclodextrin.
5. CAVEX Color change:
 The alginate impression material with color indications avoiding confusion about setting
time.
 Color changes are visualizing the major decision points in impression making
 end of mixing time
 end of setting time ( tray can be removed from mouth)
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11. Hydrocolloids
 it indicates two color changes
 Violet to pink indicates the end of mixing time.
 Pink to white indicates end of setting time.
 Other advantages of this material are
 -improved dimensional stability (upto 5 days)
 Good tear and deformation resistance
 Dust free
 Smooth surface, optimum gypsum compatibility.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES:
Advantages:
1. Easy to mix and manipulate.
2. Minimum requirement of equipment.
3. Accuracy (if properly handled)
4. Low cost
5. Comfortable to the patient
6. Hygienic (as fresh material is used for each impression)
Disadvantages:
1. Cannot be electroplated.
2. Distortion occurs easily
3. Poor dimensional stability (poured within 15 min.)
4. Poor tear strength
AGAR – REVERSIBLE HYDROCOLLOIDS

When agar hydrocolloids heated, they liquefy or go into the sol state & on cooling they
return to the gel state. Because this process can be repeated, a gel of this type is
described as Reversible hydrocolloid. The preparation of the agar hydrocolloids for
clinical use requires care full control & yields accurate impression. It has been largely
replaced by alginate hydrocolloids & rubber impression materials.
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12. Hydrocolloids
COMPOSITION:

Borates :- 0.2 – 0.5%
Its works as retarder.

water :- 85.5%
It is reaction medium.

Agar:- 13-17%
It is main active constituent of reversible
hydrocolloid impression material.

Sulfates :- 1 – 2%

Fillers :- 0.5 -1%
Accelerators
Diatomaceous earth, silica, wax rubber etc
used as filler.

Bactericide :-

Thymol & glycerin are used
Color & flavor
GELATION PROCESS:

The setting of the reversible hydrocolloid is called gelation. The reaction can be expressed
a sol- gel reaction. The physical changes from to gel does not return to the sol at the same
temp. at which it solidified. The gel must be heated at the liquefaction temp. ie 70 - 100·c
to form sol. Sol transform into a gel at 37-50·c. the exact gelation temp depended on
several factor, including the molecular wt. the purity of the material & the ratio of agar to
other ingredients.

The gelation is critical. If the temp. is high, the heat from sol may injury to the soft tissue,
or if the surface of the sol transforms to a gel as soon as the sol may injure the oral tissues,
a high surface stress may develop. If the gelation temp. is too far below the oral temp. it
will be difficulty or even impossible to chill the material sufficiently to obtain a firm gel to
adjacent to the oral tissue. The temp. lag between the gelation & liquefaction temp. of the
gel makes it possible to use as a dental impression material.
PROPERTIES:

Gelation temperature :Page 12

13. Hydrocolloids
After tempering, the sol should be homogenous and should set to a gel between 37
– 500c when cooled.

Viscoelastic properties :It demonstrates the necessity of deforming the impression rapidly when it removed
from the mouth which reduces the amount of the permanent deformation. The elastic
recovery of the hydrocolloid is never complete & it does not return entirely to its original
dimension after deformation. The amount of permanent deformation in clinical is
negligible, provided that :a) The material has adequately gelled.
b) The impression has been removed rapidly.
c) The under cuts present in the cavity preparation are minimal.

Permanent deformation :The ADA specification requires that the permanent deformation should be less than
1.5% after the material compressed 10% for 30sec. This impression material readily meets
this requirement with the value of about 1%.

Distortion during gelation :If the material is held rigidly to the tray, then the impression material shrinks
toward the center of its mass. Rapid cooling may cause a concentration of stress near the
tray where gelation first takes place.

Flexibility :The ADA specification requirement for flexibility allows a range of 4-14% & most
agar materials meet this requirement.

Strength :The compressive strength of Agar impression material is 8000gm/cm2
The tear strength of Agar is 7000gm/cm2

Flow :Agar is sufficiently fluid to allow detailed reproduction of hard & soft tissue.

Compatibility with gypsum :Not all the agar impression materials are equally compatible with all gypsum
products. The impression should be washed of saliva & any trace of blood, which
retarded the setting of gypsum.
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14. Hydrocolloids
Manipulation of agar impression:
The use of agar hydrocolloid involves special equipment called conditioning
unit for agar. The hydrocolloid is usually supplied In two forms: syringe and tray
materials. The only difference between the materials is the color and the greater fluidity of
the syringe material.
Impression tray:
It is rim locked trays with water circulating device. This types of trays should
allow a space of 3mm occlusally and laterally and extend distally to cover all the teeth.
After the tray has been properly positioned, water is circulated at 13 degrees through the
tray until gelation occurs.
Preparation of material:
Proper equipment of liquefying and storing the agar impression material is essential.
At first reverse the hydrocolloid gel to the sol stage. Boiling water is a convenient
way of liquefying the material. The material must be held at this temperature for a
minimum of 10mins. Propylene glycol can be added to the water to obtain 100 degrees.
After it has been liquefied, the material must be stored in the tray. The material can be
stored for several days. Usually, there are three compartments in the conditioning unit,
making it possible to liquefy, store and temper the material.
Conditioning and tempering:
Because 55 degree is the maximum tolerable temperature, the storage temperature
of 65 degrees would be too hot for the oral tissues, especially given the bulk of the tray
material. Therefore, the material that is used to fill the tray must be cooled and tempered.
Eliminating the effect of imbibition is the purpose of placing the gauze pad over the
tempering tray materials. When the tray material is placed into the tempering bath, the
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15. Hydrocolloids
gauze is removed and the contaminating surface layer of material clings to the gauze and is
removed as well.
Making the impression:
The syringe material is taken directly from the storage compartment and applied to
the prepared cavities. It is first applied to the base of the preparation and then the reminder
of the tooth is covered. By the time the cavity preparation and adjoining teeth have been
covered, the tray material has been properly tempered and is now ready to be placed
immediately in the mouth to form the bulk of impression. Gelation is accelerated by
circulating cool water, approximately, 18 – 21 degrees through the tray for 3 – 5 minutes.
Disinfection of hydrocolloid impression:
As the hydrocolloid impression material must be poured within short time after
removal from the mouth. The disinfection procedure should be relatively rapid to prevent
the dimensional change. Most manufacturers recommended a specific disinfectant. The
agent may be iodophor, bleach or gluteraldehyde. The distortion is minimal if the
recommended immersion time is followed and if the impression is poured properly. The
irreversible hydrocolloid may be disinfected by 10 minute immersion in/or spraying with
the antimicrobial agent such as NaOCl and glutaraldehyde without sufficient dimensional
change. The current protocol for disinfecting hydrocolloid impression is to use household
bleach, iodophor, and synthetic phenols as disinfectants. After the immersion, it is
thoroughly rinsed. The disinfectant is sprayed liberally o the exposed surface. The
immersion should not be submerged or soaked in the disinfectant solution.
Recent techniques:
Laminate technique:
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16. Hydrocolloids

A recent modification of the conventional procedure is the combined agar alginate
technique. The hydrocolloid in the tray is replaced with a mix of chilled alginate
that bonds with the agar expressed from a syringe.

The alginate gels by a chemical reaction whereas the agar gels by means of
contact with cool alginate rather than with the water circulating through the tray.
Since the agar not the alginate is in contact with the prepared teeth maximum
detail is reproduced.
Advantages

syringe agar records tissues more accurately

Water cooled tray is not required

Sets faster.
Disadvantages:

Agar – alginate bond failure can occur

Viscous alginate may displace agar

Technique sensitive
Wet field technique:

This is a recent technique

The oral tissues are flooded with warm water. The syringe material is then
injected in to the surface to be recorded.

Before syringe material gels tray material is seated.

The hydraulic pressure of the viscous tray material forces the fluid syringe
material down in to the areas to be recorded.

The motion displaces the syringe material as well as blood and debris through out
the sulcus.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES:
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17. Hydrocolloids
Advantages:
1. Hydrophilic Impression material
2. Good elastic properties, Good recovery from distortion
3. Can be re-used as a duplicating material
4. Long working time and low material cost
5. No mixing technique
6. High accuracy and fine detail recording
Disadvantages:
1. Only one model can be used
2. Extensive and expensive equipment required
3. It can not be electroplated
4. Impossible to sterilize for reuse
5. Low dimensional stability & tear resistance
TYPES OF FAILURES:
1. Distortion:- due to
Delayed pouring of impression
Movement of tray during setting
Removal from mouth too early
2. Grainy impression:- due to
Inadequate mixing
Prolonged mixing
Less water in mix
3. Tearing: - due to
Inadequate bulk
Moisture contamination
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18. Hydrocolloids
Removal from mouth too early
Prolonged mixing
4. Bubbles:- due to
Early gelation, preventing flow
Air incorporated during mixing
5. Irregular voids:- due to
Excess moisture &debris on
REFERENCES:
1. Anusavice “Skinners science of dental materials”. Tenth Edition.
2. Dental materials and their selection-willian .j.o’ brien
3. Restorative dental materials-craig
4. Removable prosthodintics- stewart
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