46 Impression Materials

TEXTBOOK ANSWER KEY

Recall Questions and Answers

1. Is an impression a negative or a positive reproduction?
An impression is a negative reproduction.

2. Of the three classifications of impressions, which can the EFDA legally take?
The EFDA can legally take preliminary impressions and bite registrations.

3. Which of the three classifications of impressions is used for occlusal relationships?

The bite registration is used for occlusal relationships.

4. Which type of impression tray covers half the arch?

A quadrant tray covers half the arch.

5. Which type of tray allows impression material to lock on mechanically?

A perforated tray allows the impression material to lock on mechanically.

6. Which type of tray is designed to fit a specific patient?

A custom tray is designed to fit a specific patient.

7. What is used to extend the length of a tray?

Utility wax is used to extend the length of a tray.

8. What is the most widely used irreversible hydrocolloid for preliminary impressions?
Another name for irreversible hydrocolloid is alginate.

9. What is the organic substance within hydrocolloid materials?

The organic substance within hydrocolloid is alginate, which is derived from seaweed.

10. Why would you select a fast-set alginate over a normal-set alginate?
You would select a fast-set alginate if the patient had a strong gag reflex.

11. What is the water-to-powder ratio for taking a maxillary impression?

The water-to-powder ratio for taking a maxillary impression is three scoops of powder to three
measures of water.

12. What does the prefix "hydro-" mean?

Hydro- means water.

13. Do you mix irreversible hydrocolloid on a paper pad or in a mixing bowl?

Irreversible hydrocolloid is mixed in a rubber mixing bowl.

14. Before an impression is taken with reversible hydrocolloid, where is the material kept?
Before an impression is taken with reversible hydrocolloid, the material is kept in a conditioning bath.

15. Is an elastomeric material used for preliminary impressions or final impressions?

Elastomeric material is used for final impressions.

16. In which three forms are elastomeric materials supplied?

Elastomeric materials are supplied as light-bodied, regular, and heavy-bodied.

17. What technique is used to place light-bodied material placed around a prepared tooth?
A special syringe, or extruder, is used to place light-bodied material.
TEACH Answer Key
BIRD & ROBINSON: Modern Dental Assisting, 12th Edition
Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 Chapter 46: Impression Materials 2

18. What impression material will the dentist first apply to a prepared tooth—the heavy-bodied or the
light-bodied form?
The dentist first applies the light-bodied material to the teeth.

19. What system completes the mixing of final impression material for you?
An automix system completes the mixing of final impressions.

20. What is another term for polysulfide?

Another term for polysulfide is rubber base.

21. Which type of bite registration material is most popular?

Polysiloxane paste is the most popular bite registration material.

22. What type of tray is used when ZOE bite registration paste is applied?
A gauze bite tray is used when ZOE bite registration paste is applied.

23. Do you cool or warm the wax before placing the tray in the patient’s mouth for a bite registration?
You warm the wax to soften it before placement in the patient’s mouth.

WORKBOOK ANSWER KEY

Short-Answer Questions
These questions reflect the Learning Outcomes listed at the beginning of this chapter in the textbook and
can be used as class assignments. The answers can be found within the chapter and/or classroom
discussion.

Fill-in-the-Blank Statements
1. colloid 8. tempering
2. border molding 9. viscosity
3. elastomeric 10. alginate
4. base 11. hysteresis
5. centric 12. hydro-
6. agar 13. occlusal registration
7. syneresis 14. catalyst
15. imbibition

Multiple-Choice Questions
1. a 14. d
2. d 15. d
3. c 16. d
4. b 17. a
5. d 18. b
6. c 19. a
7. a 20. d
8. c 21. a
9. b 22. c
10. c 23. d
11. c 24. c
12. a 25. b
13. b
TEACH Answer Key
BIRD & ROBINSON: Modern Dental Assisting, 12th Edition
Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 Chapter 46: Impression Materials 3

Case Study
This Case Study is designed to open discussion and to solicit varying opinions and approaches to
problems. The answers listed below are one set of possibilities, but several responses may be correct.
The course director will determine whether a student’s or a group’s response is correct according to the
factors presented and the course requirements.

1. Alginate would be selected to take preliminary impressions.

2. The type of trays for a full-arch preliminary impression would be either a metal or plastic perforated
tray.

3. The size of the tray can be determined by visually sizing up the patients arch and, if needed, trying
the tray in prior to taking the impression. Make sure if you do not use the tray that you return it to be
sterilized. Because of the perforations, you will not need an adhesive, but you may have to adapt the
palate or length of tray with utility wax.

4. You would set up alginate powder, an alginate measure scoop, a water measure, a rubber bowl, a
wide-blade spatula, sterile impression trays, tray adhesive, utility wax, a saliva ejector, and a
precaution bag.

5. Place water in a bowl, fluff alginate and sift powder into the water, and use a spatula to mix it with a
stirring action until completely moistened. Firmly spread the alginate between the spatula and the
side of the bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.

6. It is best to take the mandibular impression first. If the patient has a sensitive gag reflex, this will
prepare the patient as well as have one of the impressions completed.

7. The central and lateral incisors must be centered in the impression. A complete peripheral roll should
be visible on both sides, and the tray must not be overseated. The impression should be free from
tears or voids, with sharp anatomic detail of teeth and soft tissues. Specific areas for each impression
are the retromolar reproduced on the mandibular impression, and the hard palate on the maxillary
impression.

8. Impressions are to be rinsed with cool water, sprayed with an approved disinfectant, wrapped in a
moist paper towel, and placed in a precaution bag with the patient’s name and date.

TEACH Answer Key

BIRD & ROBINSON: Modern Dental Assisting, 12th Edition
Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.