As dental professionals, it is not new news that enamel falls prey to constant demineralization.  In the Enamel 101 of dentistry, we learned the fact that hydroxyapatite can be attacked by acids and break down if there is not a remineralization balance.  The ideal balance is to stop acid attacks period. 

Dental impression materials have evolved significantly over the years. In this article, we will discuss the different types of impression materials commonly used in dentistry, including polyvinyl siloxane, polyether, agar hydrocolloid, and alginate hydrocolloid, along with a brief history of their development.

Dental impression materials are an essential component of restorative dentistry. They are used to create an accurate replica of a patient's teeth and oral structures for the fabrication of dental restorations or prostheses.

The 3 Types

There are three types of impression materials: preliminary, final, and bite registration.

Preliminary impressions are used to create a rough model of the teeth and oral structures for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Impression trays are an important part of dentistry.

These specialized tools are used to create a precise impression or mold of a patient’s teeth and surrounding oral structures, that is then used to create an accurate 3-dimentional model of the patient’s mouth. The models made from the impression can then be used for different dental appliances or treatments, such as orthodontics, prosthodontics, mouth guards, snoring appliances, dentures, whitening trays, crowns, bridges, and more. 

During a dental visit, if an impression is required, the impression tray is filled evenly with the impression material of choice, alginate is one of the most common materials used for impressions in dentistry. The filled tray is then seated over the arch of the teeth capturing a negative imprint of the teeth, gums.

The material sets quickly once it is inside the mou

Chlorhexidine Mouthwash: Enhancing Oral Health

Mouthwash, a vital oral hygiene tool, comes in various types, offering temporary benefits or actively addressing dental concerns.  Therapeutic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine gluconate stand out for their ability to combat plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay.

Understanding Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine gluconate, a potent cationic antiseptic, serves as a cornerstone in dental care. With a bisbiguanide base activity and a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it’s method disrupts microbial cell membranes, leading to cell death, and effectively targets a wide spectrum of oral pathogens.

Alginate is an impression material that is commonly used in dentistry. Alginate impression material is used to create an accurate negative model of the teeth and gums. Alginate impressions are typically taken of the maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide derived from brown algae that is commonly used in dentistry for creating dental impressions. It is also used to make dental prosthetics, such as dentures and crowns. Alginate impression can be used for the fabrication of a primary cast in prosthodontics, study models in orthodontic, and duplication of casts.

Alginate is typically used in the form of a hydrogel in biomedicine, including wound healing, drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Hydrogels are three-dimensionally cross-linked networks composed of hydrophilic polymers with high water content.

The cost of operating a dental office is staggering, and one sizeable investment is in dental handpieces. Choosing and investing in quality dental burs and handpieces increases productivity, reliability and reduces chair time for patients, making dental treatment less stressful. Handpieces are compressed-air driven, use newer electric technology, or are battery-powered, as in cordless prophy handpieces. Proper maintenance and sterilization practices provide years of service and guarantee patient safety.

Before being an RDH, I was a CDA and then a CPDA for 4 years. I oversaw ordering burs, sterilizing burs, and storing them in bur blocks in an official bur drawer. These were the years where a loose unpackaged sterile burs in a bur block was acceptable in infection prevention and control.

I remember my trips to the dentist as a child and looking at the dental bur blocks on the counter. I remember thinking there were so many and hoping they did not have to use the giant ones on me. At the time, of course, I did not realize that there were so many types of burs.