Evaluation of disinfected casts poured in gypsum with gum arabic and calcium hydroxide additives

Abstract Statement of problem Disinfection of stone casts is an important measure for the control of cross-contamination. Many approaches have been used to disinfect stone casts, but information regarding the accuracy of the resultant casts is limited. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the dimensional accuracy, incidence of abutment fracture, and the abutment reproduction of disinfected stone casts made from elastomeric impressions and to determine the effect of gum arabic and calcium hydroxide additives on these properties. Material and methods Two aqueous solutions of chemical disinfectants (0.525% sodium hypochlorite and 0.1% povidone iodine) were used as mixing water substitutes for 3 types of dental stone: Types III (Lab Stone), IV (Mile Stone), and V (Die Keen). These stone powders were subjected to further modification by adding 1% gum arabic and 0.132% calcium hydroxide before mixing at the manufacturer-recommended liquid/powder ratios (0.30 for Type III, 0.21 for Types IV and V, respectively). As these additives increased the fluidity of the mix, reduced liquid/powder ratios (0.26 for Type III, 0.19 for Types IV and V, respectively) were also evaluated. Unmodified stone powder mixed with water served as the control. These modifications resulted in 7 test groups for each type of stone. Mixed stones of these groups were poured into 10 putty/wash vinyl polysiloxane impressions made of a customized definitive cast. The percentage of abutments fractured at the time of releasing the resultant casts, as well as the percentages of incompletely reproduced abutments, abutments with air bubbles, and abutments with defective finish lines were compared statistically among the tested groups using the chi-square test (α=.05). The average dimensional deviations of the resultant cast from the definitive cast measured in mm were statistically analyzed using 1-way ANOVA (α=.05) followed by the Dunnett test to detect any differences among the tested groups. Results No significant difference was found in abutment fracture or abutment defects for the different formulations of each type of stone used. The resultant casts showed no significant dimensional changes except for Type III and IV stones modified by gum arabic and calcium hydroxide additives and mixed at the recommended liquid/powder ratios. Conclusion Both 0.525% sodium hypochlorite and 0.1% povidone iodine can be used to disinfect dental gypsum with no significant effect on the dimensional accuracy and reproducibility of the resultant casts. Addition of gum arabic and calcium hydroxide to the hemihydrate powders before mixing does not aid in reducing the incidence of defective abutment reproduction.