Effect of Water Type Used in Mixing the Alginate on the Final Stone Cast of Removable Partial Dentures

Abstract

Introduction: Recording an accurate impression is one of the most important steps in prosthetic dentistry for a successful denture, alginate remains one of the most common impression materials in dentistry, Therefore, it is important to fully understand its characteristics and the factors that influence it in order to avoid possible complications.Purpose: Study the effect of water type used in mixing the alginate on the final stone cast of removable partial dentures using different types of water.Materials and Methods: The research sample consisted of 30 gypsum casts taken with alginate for partially edentulous metal cast class III modification 2, divided into three equal groups according to the different type of water used in mixing the alginate (distilled water, mineral water, tap water). The linear measurements were made in the longitudinal, vertical, and transverse dimensions according to points prepared in advance on the metallic cast using a digital caliper, then it was repeated on gypsum casts. The results were collected and analyzed statistically by the t-student, Anova, and Bonferroni method at a 95% confidence level.Results: It was found that there were changes in the linear dimensions in all groups, regardless of the type of water used, but to varying degrees between them without statistically significant differences, except for the front vertical linear dimension which was the largest in the tap water group.Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, we can say about the preference of distilled and mineral water in mixing alginate for final impressions compared to tap water.Recommendations: We recommend the use of distilled or mineral water when mixing alginate for final impressions.