What does “Dental gypsum” mean?
Dental plaster is a material used to create a solid model of teeth and gums obtained from an impression. It is different from the material placed in the mouth to fill cavities.
How do you make a model?
Pouring gypsum into an impression containing a negative reproduction of the teeth and allowing it to set produces a positive cast. The mixing ratio, control of air bubbles, and setting process affect the cast’s accuracy.
What is it used for?
Dental gypsum is used to analyze tooth alignment and the bite or as a reference when making restorations. Products with different strength and expansion characteristics are selected according to the purpose.
How is it different from a digital model?
The plaster cast is physical and the intraoral scan data is in digital form. It is used according to the manufacturing method, and the suitability of the prosthesis is not determined solely by the type of model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dental gypsum placed inside the tooth?
Gypsum is mainly used to make casts outside the mouth. It differs from the impression material used to record the shape of teeth inside the mouth.
Is it a problem if there are air bubbles in the model?
You must check whether important tooth boundaries or contact areas are accurately reproduced. Depending on the location of the defect, remanufacturing may be necessary.
Questions to help you understand dental gypsum
Learn what the term means and how it relates to your dental condition.
- Sufficient understanding
In what production stages are models used?
Explanation and evidenceDistinguish between diagnostic and prosthetic purposes.
Kulzer · Alginate impression and model fabrication guide - A choice suited to your condition
Were the necessary teeth and boundaries accurately reproduced?
Explanation and evidenceProceed with production after checking for defects in the impression/model.
Cleveland Clinic · Dental Impressions
