MODULE 1: GYPSUM

(appear in board exam)

Gypsum
- A mineral mined in various parts of the world
- Some uses CaSO4 x 2H2O (calcium sulfate dihydrate) is heated by
○ Manufacture of wallboard the process called calcination with a temperature 120-130
○ Cement C under steam pressure or autoclave → CaSO4 x ½ H2O
○ Soil condition or (CaSO4)2 x H2O will become a α-hemihydrate, which is
○ Dental uses known as dental stone

In dentistry, Gypsum used for: ➔ The difference of these two is the temperature
● Study models and equipment used to heat under the process of
● Casts calcination
● Dies ➔ Same formula, but the process and method is
different from each other.
Gypsum ➔ In the market, the dental plaster is marketed as
● chemically known as calcium sulfate dihydrate white powder, while the dental stone is yellow,
(pure form) blue,or pink.
● Through the process of calcination,
it is converted to Difference between dental plaster and dental stone
1. Process of calcination
CaSO4 + 2H20 → calcium sulfate hemihydrate; - different temperature and method used
2. Particle size
Chemical formula: - Dental plaster produces bigger particle size, while
CaSO4 x ½ H2O or (CaSO4)2 x H2O dental stone would yield smaller particle size
3. Amount of water added
➔ For the gypsum to be used commercially in - Since it has a different particle size, the amount of
dentistry and other industrial products, a process water added is differ
called calcination is done. - Since the dental plaster needs more water due to
➔ Calcination is a process wherein part of the water its bigger size particle. Dental stone, together w/
in calcium sulfate dihydrate is removed by heating. the die stone, needs less water due its smaller
When the time water is removed, it will become particle size.
calcium sulfate hemihydrate - The effect of the amount of water added in the
strength of these gypsum powder.
● The calcium sulfate hemihydrate may either be β- More water = yields less strength.
Hemihydrate or α-hemihydrate
Dental stone is harder than dental plaster since
1. To achieve β-Hemihydrate its size is smaller and less water is added.

4. Strength or hardness of gypsum

➔ In clinical, dental plaster is used for models when
strength would not give importance. But when it is
needed for the processing under a dental
laboratory, the cast should have enough strength
since it undergoes heating.
CaSO4 x 2h20 (calcium sulfate dihydrate) is heated by
the process called calcination with a temperature 110-120 ● Dental plaster is used for study models, for
C in a kettle, vat or rotary kiln open to air → CaSO4 x ½ record purposes only
H2O or (CaSO4)2 x H2O ● Dental stone is stronger and more resistant to
abrasion. It is used primarily for casts of full arch
If this is the procedure with such temperature the calcium impressions
sulfate dihydrate will become β-Hemihydrate, which is
known as dental plaster Remember:
the smaller the particle size, the less water is needed,
2. To achieve α-hemihydrate, therefore the greater will be the strength

Stages in the mixing of water and hemihydrate

 1. When the hemihydrate is mixed with water, there is equivalent to the heat used originally in the
suspension of hemihydrate that is fluid and calcination
workable ● Heat in exothermic = heat used in calcination
process
➔ Water is the first to be put in dental ➔ Calcium sulfate hemihydrate mixed w/ H2O
plaster, the powder then now added next. (water) will gain back the molecules of water that
are lost during calcination. Therefore, it would back
2. The hemihydrate dissolves until it forms a as Calcium sulfate dihydrate again + heat. The
saturated solution product of the reaction is gypsum, then the heat
3. The ions of calcium sulfate diffuse to precipitate on evolved in the exothermic reaction is equivalent to
nuclei in crystallization the heat used originally in the calcination.
➔ Checking the temperature would be the basis for
➔ As it start to set, the formed powder that the final setting time. As the setting reaction
mixed in water is called crystals that proceeds, it will produce heat (that heat is
undergoing crystallization equivalent to the heat that is used in calcination).
When it cooled down, that would be the final
4. The process continues as needle-like clusters are setting time
formed called spherulites ➔ In this case, it already gained again the molecule of
➔ Clusters of needles called spherulites water it lost during calcination. Now again, it is now
calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Each of the gypsum products have a recommended water

powder ratio. When you use this as a measurement, you’ll
be able to attain the maximum strength that gypsum could
possibly have.
Types of gypsum Water - powder ratio

Type I impression plaster 0.50-0.75

Type II dental plaster 0.45-0.50

Actual electron micrograph image of setting gypsum
While it’s setting, it formed a needle-like structures called Type III Dental stone 0.28-0.30
spherulites Class 1 (Hydrocal)

First, the hemihydrate (powder) passes with the liquid, then Type IV Dental stone 0.22-0.24
Class 2 (Densite or
it dissolves in the liquid and starts to form a workable mass
improved stone)
and starts to form crystals and needle-like structures
called spherulites. Type V Dental stone high 0.18-0.22
strength, high expansion
Finally, there would be intermeshing and intangling crystals
of gypsum that would lead to a strong and solid structure
➔ This means, for example, 50-75 mL of water for
(setting stage).
100 gm of powder
➔ When properly manipulated, this could yield
If you added too much water to a gypsum product like
greater strength cast.
dental stone that needs less water, there wouldn’t be much
contact within the crystals.
Type I Impression plaster
- these are plasters of Paris to which (chemical)
modifiers have been added in order to regulate the
Dental plaster results in a weaker cast than dental stone
setting time and setting expansion
since it needs more water. When you don't follow the
- used for impression taking before used in the
required water to be added (u added more water than its
completely edentulous patient (no teeth left). When
required), the crystal is further apart.
you use it on a patient that has teeth remaining, the
tooth would be damaged or broken when removed
in the mouth .
Setting of gypsum products
CaSO4 x ½ H2O + 1 ½ H2O → CaSO4 x 2H2O + Heat
Type II Dental plaster/ model plaster
● The product of the reaction is gypsum, and the
heat evolved in the exothermic reaction is
 Type V Dental stone, high strength, high expansion
- Has higher compressive strength than type IV
- Has an even lower water- powder ratio

- It is used principally to fill the flask in denture Differences between densite and hydrocal
construction - They are both dental stone, but densite is class II
- the main shortcoming was the inherent low while the hydrocal is class I
strength
- used to construct model casts ➢ Densite has smaller particle size than hydrocal
➢ Less water needed
Type III Dental stone class I (hydrocal) ➢ Faster to set
➢ Harder in strength
➢ Expansion is greater

- It is intended for construction of casts in the Properties of Gypsum

fabrication of full dentures, since the stone has 1. Water: powder ratio
adequate strength for that purpose 2. Mixing time
- Hydrocal is used for construction of casts 3. Working time
4. Setting time
Type IV Dental stone class II (Densite or improved
stone) Water: powder ratio (W:P)
- Referred to as die-stones ● The quotient obtained when the weight of volume
- Used for construction of stone dies (reproductions of water is divided by the weight of the powder
of teeth with prepared cavities upon which ● Ex. W:P 0.50-0.75 means 50-70ml of water per
restorations are constructed)’ 100g. Powder
- Has greater strength and minimal setting ● This is the time that you added the powder to water
expansion until the mixing is done
- Die - general reproduction of teeth with prepared
cavity Mixing time
● Time from the addition of the powder to water until
mixing is completed
○ Mechanical mixing- 20-30 seconds
○ Hand spatulation- at least 1 minute
- One direction only, circular
motion, 3 revolutions per
seconds. 90 revolutions per
minute
- Spatulation in 1 minute for 1
direction circular.
- When you slowly mix it with
different directions, it affects the
➔ After cavity preparation, make an impression for quality of the gypsum because
the patient, then the stone dies. Make a wax the crystal is scattered.
pattern to be able to remove it from the cast. Carve Working time
the wax pattern correctly. Carving the wax pattern ● The time available to use a workable mix
is important since it will be used for the process in ● During working time, the material can be mixed
metallic restoration. it will be processed together and poured into the impression
with the cast, for it to stand the heat brought about - You mix the gypsum in 1 min when you add the
by the processing procedure, die stone is needed. powder to the water. When the mixing is done,
➔ Die stone needs less water due to its small particle within that time you put it in the impression/ inlay
size, therefore crystals when they are set are ring (activities only)
closer together forming a more compact or dense - Generally, 3 mins working time is adequate
cast. before it actually starts to set. The loss of gloss is
➔ It has different colors such as blue or pink. The starting.
color didn’t affect the quality of the product, it’s just
for identifying purposes only.
Setting time - The mixing procedure must be within the range, 90
● The time that elapses from the beginning of mixing revolutions per minute. The faster the mixing within
until the material hardens. limits, the faster is the setting time. The longer that
it takes you to mix, the longer will be the setting
Initial setting time time because you are destroying the crystals. It is
● Can be detected by the loss of gloss important that you observe the recommended
● As the reaction proceeds some of the excess water mixing time because if you don't follow the
is taken up forming the dihydrate so the mix loses recommended mixing time may result in weaker
its gloss cast because you are disturbing what you are
● Must be within 8 mins to 16 mins supposed to be setting gypsum already.
c. Temperature
Final setting time - The higher the temperature of the water, the faster
● Defined as the time at which the material can be the setting time however, If the temperature
separated from the impression without distortion of exceeds 50 degrees celsius, the setting time is
fracture retarded. It will take time for you to set.
● Occurs within 20 mins from the start of the mix d. Use of chemical modifiers
● Common practice allows gypsum mass to harden i. Most effective
for 45 to 60 mins before removing it from the cast - We use chemical modifiers to alter the setting time.
(We used borax and salt)
Methods of determine setting time
1. Loss of gloss Chemical modifiers
● As the setting reaction proceeds, some of ● Retarders
the excess water is taken up forming the ○ E.g. borax, sodium citrate, acetic acid,
dihydrate so that the mix loses its gloss colloids (Retarders will prolong the setting
2. Gillmore needles time of the gypsum products)
● Small needles for testing the setting time ● Accelerators
of dental cements and to determine initial ○ E.g. sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate,
setting time of gypsum (initial gillmore) potassium sulfate, ferric sulfate, chromic
● Final gilmore- big needle; final setting sulfate ( They accelerate the setting time)
time
3. Vicat needle Control of setting time
● Determines initial setting time only 1. Not under the control of dentist/operator
a. Presence of impurities
Vicat needle apparatus - (dentist/operators/laboratory technician has no
control over the presence of impurities)
- Presence of impurities may delay the setting time
b. Particle size

Setting expansion
● Regardless of the type of gypsum product (Setting
expansion in Gypsum is normal), an expansion of
Gillmore needle apparatus
the mass can be detected, which can be as low as
0.06% or as high as 0.5%
- Even if its dental plaster, dental stone, or die stone,
there will be a setting expansion.
● An anomalous condition that occurs during the
Factors affecting setting time
setting of gypsum
1. Under control of the dentist/operator
● Due to contact of particles due to the outward
a. Water: powder ratio
thrust of the needles during setting or growth
- The more water added to the gypsum, the longer
- Setting expansion occurs, because of the contact
the setting time. The less water added, the faster
of needles
the setting time.
- (the closer the particles of gypsum, the closer
- Between the dental plaster and dental stone,
would be the needle setting or growth) therefore,
dental stone sets faster than dental plaster based
the later would be the setting expansion.
under the water - powder ratio.
between dental stone, and dental plaster. Which do you
b. Mixing
think would have a greater setting expansion?
 - Dental stone, smaller particles, requires less water. - Removable partial dentures, those are metallic
Therefore it sets faster because the particles are frame works (that metal is used for fabrication in
closer, the cast is denser, Since the particles of removable partial denture shrinks)
dental stone and die stone are closer together.
During setting there is more contact of particles Strength
due to the outward thrust of the needles during the ● The strength of gypsum is expressed in terms of
setting. compressive stress (flatenning)

Structure of the set gypsum Two types of strength in gypsum

● The final structure of gypsum immediately after ● Wet strength
setting is composed of interlocking crystals, ○ The strength when the water in excess of
between which are pores and micropores that required for hydration of hemihydrate
containing the excess water required for mixing is left in the test specimen
● Dry strength
(In between the interlocking crystals, there will still be ○ The strength obtained when the specimen
excess water that is required for mixing) has been dried off: free of excess water

Factors affecting setting expansion When does it become wet strength and dry strength?
● W:P ratio - The greater the W:P ratio, the less is the dry
- High W : P ratio, the farther the crystals, while low strength
W : P ratio, the crystals are closer. Therefore, the
lower the W : P ratio, the greater the setting Free water or gauging water
expansion. (farther crystals, high powder water ● It is the excess water needed for the powder to
ratio, less setting expansion) wet, stirred and poured
● Spatulation and mixing
- The faster the spatulation within practical limits Maximum compressive strength
(within 1 minute), the greater setting expansion ● Dental plaster- 280kg./sq.cm
● Particle size - Dental plaster makes a more porous and less
- The smaller the particles size, the greater setting dented cast.
expansion (because it has less water, and it would ● Dental stone- 800 kg./sq.cm
be closer together when it expands during setting)
● Use of chemical modifiers (accelerators and Factors affecting the strength of gypsum
retarders) 1. W:P
a. Most effective in controlling setting 2. Mixing
expansion (as well as the setting time) 3. Particle size
b. Generally, they reduce the setting 4. Accelerators and retarders
expansion
Ways to construct a cast
Normal setting expansion 1. Boxing method
● Expansion of gypsum takes place in the air or
there is no water immersion

Hygroscopic setting expansion

● Setting reaction is allowed to occur under water
● Expansion that occurs under water is greater
- In some laboratory procedures, Hygroscopic 2. Use of rubber base former
setting expansion is required for the gypsum
product to expand greater, because of the
appliance that is being fabricated to compensate
for the decrease in metal.

Significance of expansion of gypsum

● The expansion of gypsum is important during
casting. It compensates to shrinkage of metal
during casting
3. Direct pouring
 i. Reversible hydrocolloid (agar)

➢ Impression plaster

- A gypsum, available as powder. But

chemical modifiers have been added. Mix
this with water, and the patient gets
impressed by these materials via stock
stray. Only do this with edentolous patient
(no teeth)
M2: Impression materials ➢ Zinc oxide eugenol paste

Impression

- Has 2 paste systems, with a mixing pad.

Dispense in equal amounts and mix it.
➢ Irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate)

- the negative copy of the tissue impressed

Cast

➢ Rubber impression material

- Condensation silicone
- the positive copy of the impression ➢ Impression compound
- (when put gypsum to impression)
- An accurate reproduction of soft tissues

Impression Materials

- Use only in identolous mouth

➢ Reversible hydrocolloid (agar)

Classification of impression materials

- Supply as gel form
1. According to manner of hardening
a. Chemical reaction
2. According to use in dentistry
i. Impression plaster, zinc oxide
a. Edentulous mouth
eugenol paste, irreversible
i. Impression compound,
hydrocolloids, rubber impression
impression plaster, zinc oxide
materials
eugenol paste
b. Thermoplastic
- You can’t use these materials with patients that still
i. Impression compound, waxes
have teeth remaining. You cannot remove this
c. Physical change
material, without distortion, since it’s rigid.
 3. The set impression absorbs moisture from mucosa,
b. Non-edentulous mouth leaving the tissues dry and feeling rough to the
i. Reversible (agar) and patient
Irreversible (alginate) 4. Separating medium is needed prior to
hydrocolloid
Manipulation of impression plaster
3. According to state and condition 1. Preparation of impression tray
a. Rigid a. Stock tray or individual tray never
i. Impression plaster, impression perforated tray. Apply lubricant
compound, zinc oxide eugenol 2. Using the correct W:P ratio, 0.50-0.75, mixing is
paste done in plaster bowl for 1 min
3. Load it into the tray
b. Flexible 4. Take the impression. Setting time is 5-6 min
i. Reversible and irreversible 5. Wash and clean the impression
hydrocolloid 6. Apply separating medium before pouring the stone
a. Separating medium- alcoholic solution
All rigid impression materials are used for edentulous of varnish, lacquer or soap
mouth only 7. Remove cast from impression plaster impression
by immersing it in warm water (impression is
All flexible impression materials are used for both soluble in warm water because of potato starch)
edentulous and non-edentulous mouths
Use of Impression compound
Impression plaster

1. For taking impression of an edentulous mouth (no

- True plastic or soluble plaster more tooth remaining)
- are plasters of paris to which modifiers have been 2. For taking impression of a single tooth with a
added prepared cavity (snap impression)
- added w/ accelerator (speed the setting time) and
retarders (used to alter the setting time of
gypsum)

Composition:
● Dental plaster
○ main Edentulous mouth
● Chemical modifiers
○ Accelerators and retarders
● Potato starch
○ It renders to Impression plaster soluble to
warm water
○ It facilitates easy removal of cast from the
impression material
● Flavoring ingredients
○ To make it palatable or good to taste
Finished Impression
● Coloring ingredients
○ Identifying purpose
Composition
- A mixture of waxes, thermoplastic resins, a filler
Advantages of impression plaster
and coloring ingredients
1. High degree of accuracy
- Thermoplastic means softens when heated,
2. Available and cheap
solidifies when it is cool.
3. Little or no displacement of tissue
disadvantages
1. Waxes
1. It evolves heat
- Beeswax = has a tendency to be brittle
2. It doesn't take areas with undercut
 ➔ The modeling compound is not yet brittle for about - It is used to form a tray that carries another types
3 times of repeated use. When it is used 4 times, it of impression compound
becomes brittle. Some of its waxes maybe leach ➔ For ex: you have the impression as a modeling
out, causing it to be brittle compound, u put another impression material like
alginate, then putting it to the mouth.
2. Plasticizers
- To improve the plasticity and workability Different types of Impression
- Shellac, stearic acid, gutta-percha

➔ Plasticity is the consistency of an impression

compound when you are working on it.
➔ There must be a uniform plasticity of the mass,
before you load it to the tray.
● Primary impression
Commercial stearic acid is a combination of stearic, oleic - Preliminary impression
and palmitic acid ● Corrective impression material
● Secondary impression
● Oleic acid - Final impression that you will do a cast
- Lowers the melting point of the compound
● Stearic acid Miscellaneous properties of impression compound
- Provides plasticization and aids in the 1. Thermal conductivity
even dispersion of filler - Poor conductivity, it will be warmed
● Palmitic acid since it is immersed in warm water.
- Act as hardener 2. Flow
- the material should flow easily to the
Fillers tissues so that every time or landmark is
- Improves the workability and texture reproduced accurately
- Increases the strength 3. Distortion
- Fillers added to Impression compound - When the material is removed from the
○ French chalk month with the outside hard and the inside
○ Barytes soft
○ Soapstone - Use a ballpen to check the hardness of
- these are manufacturers control the modeling compound. (lulubog when
it’s still soft)
Advantages of Impression compound
1. Cheap and reusable (on same patient) Disadvantages of using modeling compound for
2. Does not produce irritation to the patient (immerse several times
in water first, before put it to the mouth) 1. Compound may become brittle and grainy (if
3. Impression can be remodified and re-softened use it several times)
again till an accurate impression is obtained 2. Plasticity of compound may be altered

Disadvantages of Impression compound Use of Zinc oxide eugenol pastes

1. Difficult to record details accurately 1. Cementing medium
2. Soft tissues are compressed due to pressure 2. Surgical dressing
applied while taking impressions 3. Temporary relining material
3. Distortion 4. Root canal filling material
4. Difficult to remove undercuts 5. Temporary filling material
5. Does not have a pleasant taste 6. Bite registration pastes
6. Can be uncomfortable in patients because of the 7. Impression material
rigidity

2 types of Impression compound

Type I - True compound
- When it is used to take impression of an identolous
mouth

Type II - Tray compound