Lecture :3 dental material dr.

Zainab salih

Gypsum products
Products of gypsum are used extensively in dentistry. Gypsum is a mineral
mind in various parts of the world .It is an industrial byproduct and it is
used, for many centuries for construction purposes.
.
Application in dentistry:

1. Impression plaster was used for impressions of the mouth.

2. Casts and dies over which dental prostheses and restorations are
made.
3. Mounting to the articulater.
4. Molds for processing dental polymers.
5. Dental investments: when plaster is mixed with silica it is known as
dental investment .They are used to form moulds into which molten
metal is cast.

Properties of ideal model material

1. Dimensional stability (no expansion or contraction during or after
setting).
2. High compressive strength to withstand the force applied on it.
3. Hardness (soft material can easily scratch).
4. Reproduce the fine details.
5. Produce smooth surface.
6. Resenable setting time.
7. Compatible with impression materials.
8. Can be disinfected without damaging the surface.

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Types of gypsum products

Type I: impression plaster
Type II: plaster
Type III: stone
Type IV: die stone
Type V: High strength, high expansion dental stone

Manufacture of gypsum products

The process of heating gypsum to produce plaster is known as
calcinations. Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O),when heated loses
part of its water of crystallization and changes to calcium sulphate
hemihydrates. They are supplied as powder when mixed with water they
form slurry or plaster, which set to form a rigid mass.
Plaster: when the gypsum is heated in open container to 110-120C, it
gives part of its water to form plaster which is CaSO4.1/2 H2O. The
crystals of plaster are irregular in shape and porous and called Beta.
CaSO4.2H2O 110-120C CaSO4.1/2 H2O + evaporation of
water
Stone: chemically stone is the same as plaster that is CaSO4.1/2 H2O but
it is made by heating gypsum in wet condition under super heat steam to
125 C. the crystals are dense regular and have prismatic shape they are
called alpha particles.
Die stone: it is produced by boiling gypsum with 30% CaCl (calcium
chloride). The crystals are also dense regular and have prismatic shape
they are called alpha.

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A B C

Three types of powder particles in gypsum producing products (×400). A, Plaster of Paris (β-hemihydrate particles); crystals are spongy and
irregular in shape. B, Dental stone (α-hemihydrate); crystals are prismatic and more regular in shape than those of plaster. C, Improved
stone (modified α-hemihydrate); the cube-shaped particles have a reduced surface area that improves the flow of the mixture.

Setting reaction
When plaster is mixed with water it takes one and a half molecules of
water, i.e it regains its water of crystallization and becomes calcium
sulphate dihydrate. They are converted back to gypsum and set to hard
mass. The reaction is exothermic and is the same for all gypsum products.
Plaster or stone or die stone (CaSO4.1/2 H2O) dissolve in water.

Theories of setting: there two theories

1-Crystalline theory.
2-Gel theory.
Crystalline theory is more widely accepted. The setting reaction is
explained on the basis of difference in solubility of hemihydrates and
dihydydrate . Hemihydrate is four times more soluble than dihydrate.

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Steps of reaction:

1. It reacts with water to form gypsum (CaSO4. 2 H2O).

2. Gypsum is less soluble in water and the solution becomes super
saturated (unstable condition).
3. Gypsum crystallizes allowing more particles to dissolve and to form
gypsum. This will continue until all the particles have been converted
to gypsum (CaSO4. 2 H2O). Each crystal as it forms becomes nucleus
for crystallization. During this process part of gypsum form a gel
which acts as a cementing medium between the crystals. Then the
rigid mass is formed by the interlocking network formed by the long
needle- like gypsum crystals.
CaSO4.1/2H2O+H2O CaSO4. 2H2O +Heat (exothermic
reaction)

The microstructure of the set gypsum:

The set material consists of an entagled aggregate of crystals, having
lengths of 5-10 um. Two types of microscopic porosity can be seen the
mass:
1- Microporosity caused by residual unreacted water. These voids are
spherical and occur between clumps of gypsum crystals.
2- Microporosity resulting from growth of gypsum crystals .These voids
are associated with setting expantion and are smaller than the first
type.They appear as angular spaces between individual crystals in the
aggregate.

Water –powder Ratio: The W/P ratio is a very important factor in

deciding physical and chemical properties of the final product. Example:
The higher the w/p ratio, the longer the setting time and weaker gypsum
products, there for w/p ratio should be kept as low as possible ,but at the
same time sufficient to produce a workable mix.
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Lecture :3 dental material dr. Zainab salih

The powder is mixed with water at certain ratio according to the type of
gypsum product.W/P ratio for plaster is 0.5 that is 50ml of water for
100gm of plaster powder.
W/P ratio for stone is 0.3
W/P ratio for die stone 0.2
The difference in W/P ratio due to the difference in the bulk volume of
the powders. the water is measured and put in a clean rubber bowel
then the powder is stiffed on it gradually allow the powder to settle
then the mix with clean spatula for 1 min. until creamy mix is obtained.

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 Lecture :3 dental material dr. Zainab salih

Setting time
Setting time is the time from the beginning of mixing the powder with
water until the material hardens.
Mixing time: is the time from the addition the powder to the water
until mixing is complete.
Working time: is the time available to make a workable mix.
Initial setting time: As the reaction proceeds, however, more
hemihydrates crystals react to form dihydrate crystals . the viscosity of
the mass is increased, and it can no longer be poured .The material
becomes rigid (but not hard).It can carved but not moulded.
Final setting time :the time at which the material can be separated
from the impression with out distortion or fracture.
Measurement of setting time:
1- Loss of gloss method :As reaction proceeds, the gloss disappears
from the surface of the plaster mix (sometimes used to indicate initial
set).
2- Exothermic reaction: The temperature rise of the mass may also be
used for measurement of setting time,as the setting reaction is exo
thermic.
3- Penetration tests: By using penetrometers .(Vicat needle(A),
Gillmore needles(B)

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 Lecture :3 dental material dr. Zainab salih

(B) (A)

Factors effecting the setting time

1. W/P ratio: the more water is used for mixing the fewer nuclei they will
be per unit volume consequently the setting will be prolonged.
2. Fineness: the finer the particle size of the hemihydrate the faster the
mix will harden. The rate of solution of the hemihydrate will be
increased, also the gypsum nuclei will be more numerous and therefore
a more rapid rate of crystallization will accur.
3. Mixing: the longer the plaster is mixed, the shorter is the setting time.
When the powder is brought into contact with water some gypsum
crystals will be formed as mixing begins more particles will be exposed
to water and thus form more crystals at the same time the crystals are
broken up by mixing and they are distributed through out the mixture
and result in the formation more nuclei for crystallization thus the
setting time is decreased.

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Effect of Water/Powder Ratio (W/P) and Mixing Time on the Setting Time of Plaster of Paris
W/P Ratio Mixing Time (min) Setting Time (min)
0.45 0.5 5.25
0.45 1.0 3.25
0.60 1.0 7.25
0.60 2.0 4.50
0.80 1.0 10.50
0.80 2.0 7.75
0.80 3.0 5.75

4. Temperature: there is little change in the setting time between 0-50C

but if the temp. exceeds 50C the setting time will be retarded. As the
temp. approaches 100 C no setting will take place.
5. Impurities: if the manufactures add gypsum the setting time will be
shortened because of the increase in the potential nuclei for
crystallization.
6. Retarders and acceleraters: the addition of accelerators and retarders
are the most effective and practical for control of the setting time.
Retarder: is the chemical material added to gypsum product to
increase the setting time. ex. glue borax and gum Arabic. It will reduce
the dissolution of hemihydrates and might deposit on the nuclei of
crystallization and effectively reduce the rate of crystallization so retard
the setting time.
Accelerator: is the chemical material added to gypsum product to
decrease the setting time. ex. Sodium chloride and potassium sulfate in
certain concentration. These salts increase the rate of dissolution of
hemihydrates and thus the saturation of the solution occur more
rapidly and the gypsum formation.

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