OTHER DIE MATERIALS

EPOXY RESIN DIES: These are basically polyethers with azyridine/oxyrane terminal groups. Epoxy polymers are prepared by reacting epichlorohydrin+Bisphenol-A or hydroxyl groups [glycols, glycerols, and resorcinols]. On further polymerizing with amines, polysulphides, or polyamides hard epoxy-resin die material can be obtained. Supplied as paste and liquid/amine activator. Recently a fast setting material is supplied as paste and liquid in catridges for use in automixer devices. This can be injected through a delivery tip into the impression [or centrifuged]. Advantages: High resistance to chemical attacks. Very tough and hard Good structural adhesion.

Disadvantage: Activator is toxic (carcinogenic) material and should not have skin contact. This can be used to prepare dies from only rubber base impression. As water retards the polymerization of resin, epoxy resin cannot be used with watercontaining and alginate impression materials.

Zinc-silicophosphate cement: Also known as synthetic porcelain. Largest compressive strength about 170mpa and good surface hardness. Advantage: Harder than die stone. Disadvantage: Ceramics: Two ceramic die materials are available, a. A material for the production of dies on which porcelain restorations are to be fabricated, without the use of platinum foil matrix. To form the dies heating to over 10000C is necessary. b. A ceramic material, supplied as powder and liquid, and is mixed to a putty like consistency. After 1 hour the material is removed from the impression and fired at 6000C for 8 minutes to produce a hard strong die. Shrinkage on setting, loss of water on standing.

OTHER DIE MATERIALS

Amalgam : Advantages Has high strength Negligible dimensional changes Reproduce fine details and sharp margins

Disadvantages Can only be prepared into a rigid impression. Long time to reach maximum hardness. High thermal conductivity, which may lead to distortion of wax pattern.

Metal sprayed dies: A bismuth tin alloy, which melts at 1380C can be sprayed directly on to an impression to form a metal shell, which can then be filled with dental stone. Advantage: A metal coated die can be obtained rapidly from elastomeric impression materials.

Disadvantage: This alloy is rather soft; care is needed to prevent abrasion of the die. This cannot be used for thermoplastic impressions