quick articulator question

[Dr. Konfetka]

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So we started setting up the articulator in school and mine is all dry but I have to build up the base. Do I wet the plaster before like I wet the casts or no?

Thanks guys

 

[tinman831]

So we started setting up the articulator in school and mine is all dry but I have to build up the base. Do I wet the plaster before like I wet the casts or no?

Thanks guys

That's what Dr. S told us last year when we started working on ours. Just get a wet paper towel and dampen (but don't overdo it) the part of the cast where you are adding the plaster. Don't soak the whole cast in water (big no no).

 

[johntara04]

I never have, and all my stuff has turned out fine. The good thing about the articulator, is that it only has to last a couple of days before you tear it down for the next patient.

Also, what are the pros to wetting the cast?

 

[rocknightmare]

I never have, and all my stuff has turned out fine. The good thing about the articulator, is that it only has to last a couple of days before you tear it down for the next patient.

Also, what are the pros to wetting the cast?

if you want to wet the whole cast wet it with clear water slurry.. otherwise the cast will absorb water and it changes dimensions....

 

[johntara04]

if you want to wet the whole cast wet it with clear water slurry.. otherwise the cast will absorb water and it changes dimensions....

I know that. Why would you "wet the casts" before adding the plaster base, like the OP says? What purpose does it serve? I don't see how wetting the cast accomplishes anything.

 

[tinman831]

I know that. Why would you "wet the casts" before adding the plaster base, like the OP says? What purpose does it serve? I don't see how wetting the cast accomplishes anything.

I think otherwise the stone absorbs the water from the plaster which changes its physical properties or something and the plaster just doesn't stick to the stone. I've done it with and without wetting the bases of the casts, and I don't really see a difference though.

 

[rocknightmare]

I know that. Why would you "wet the casts" before adding the plaster base, like the OP says? What purpose does it serve? I don't see how wetting the cast accomplishes anything.

to remove air bubbles (what air bubbles??😉 in the cast (according to the manual i am reading)

 

[I'mFillingFine]

if you want to wet the whole cast wet it with clear water slurry.. otherwise the cast will absorb water and it changes dimensions....

But casts get soaked using the trimmer or if you're forming shellac over them for a trial base...I haven't noticed any great dimensional change, though they do always tell us to only wet the area you need.

If you're uncomfortable wetting the cast, just roughen up the bottom a whole lot with an e-cutter so that there's a lot of surface area for the plaster to stick to. If you don't care about separating the plaster from the cast, you can make undercuts.

 

[johntara04]

Here's a tip for you. If you are taking impressions of your typodont, keep the mold you make in good condition, and after you have set up your articulator once, don't separate the the mold from the plates that screw onto the articulator. This will save you from having to take new impressions, pour more models, etc. You can just reuse the mandible and maxilla when you need them. They will already be set up to the perfect heights and will save you a bunch of time in the future. Remember, dentistry is all about being as efficient as you can. 😉

 

[armorshell]

Here's a tip for you. If you are taking impressions of your typodont, keep the mold you make in good condition, and after you have set up your articulator once, don't separate the the mold from the plates that screw onto the articulator. This will save you from having to take new impressions, pour more models, etc. You can just reuse the mandible and maxilla when you need them. They will already be set up to the perfect heights and will save you a bunch of time in the future. Remember, dentistry is all about being as efficient as you can. 😉

Unless your school makes you put a distinguishing mark on your typodont every single project specifically to prevent you from doing that. 😎

If you look closely at the waxup I just posted, 5 has an indentation because I borrowed it from my fixed typodont.

 

[johntara04]

Unless your school makes you put a distinguishing mark on your typodont every single project specifically to prevent you from doing that. 😎

That kinda sucks...Oh well, jump through those hoops right?