In the dental profession, time in the chair is money, the more people you can get in the chair the better. EXCEPT when they are repeat visits because your lab didn't get their work right. Take all your frustrations and wasted time and money and get ready for a change. I will walk you through, step by step, on how to take an impression that both you and your lab technician will have no issues with. Which means, more time open in that chair! Better get your receptionist ready and warmed up because you are going to have more appointment time available.

Ok, so first off, you know that you are going to need some alginate, some impression trays, gloves, etc.
Did you know that by fluffing or aerating the alginate powder will help you get a more accurate water/powder ratio. Kind of like sifting flours for your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Then if you will add the powder after you have put the water in the bowl, it makes it easier to mix, also like when you are making cookies. Don't forget to tap the scoop with powder and level off the top. This will cause too much powder into the mixture and will make your alginate too thick. Two scoops is generally the norm for a full arch impression, but be sure to always read the manufactures guidelines with each different kind of alginate before you begin.
Use cooler water to make the allow more working time. Hot water tends to set it up a little faster.
When mixing, I bet we all wish we could be using grandma's good old Kitchen Aid mixer. Go ahead and mix powder and water together and be sure to press the mixture against the side of the bowl as you rotate it in order to get all the extra air bubbles pressed out. Once again, after checking the materials guidelines; should be around one minute of mixing, make sure that your alginate mix is a soft creamy fusion that is smooth but also does not fall off of your spatula.
Now the race to get your "cookies" into the oven begins. You need to scoop the alginate from all sides of the bowl, but at the same time, try not to let any air bubbles back in. Then spread evenly in the tray. Set time for most manufacturers is three minutes from the start of mixing. Fast-set is two minutes.
Now time to open the oven and start the baking!

 

Now that I am on the dental side of seeing things, I have started to wonder something.  If Hallmark was capable of making new holidays for their own benefit ( Mother's and Father's Day),  then is it possible that some candy companies came up with the other holidays?  Like Halloween and Valentine's are supposed to come from generations back as sacred days to honor saints.  BUT... What if it is really a ploy by Cadbury's or Hershey's to make their business boom.  There are certain candies out there available specifically for each holiday.  4th of July = salt water taffy, Christmas = peppermints, Easter = chocolate bunnies and jelly beans,  Halloween = every kind of candy you could imagine!, and Valentines = more chocolate. 

Another theory I have is that some really smart group of dentists started these sweet traditions for job security.  The more sweets, the more money spent at the dentist office. 

But today, I did find a new and upcoming sweet treat that is supposed to be good for you and the dentist won't get paid as much if you eat it instead of the normal sweets.  Check out this link, and let me know what you think of it.

Ain't love a swell condition?  I caught it from you.   Happy Valentine's Day

Today in the lab we have been making supply orders and also discussing the idea of possibly integrating a digital scanner or even a milling machine into our workspace.  My job is to do all the research and get as much information as possible for David.  He and Chevi have some ideas for what they are looking for and I need to find the best match for their criteria.  I am searching high and low for all those dental lab technician blogs and chat rooms that can lead me to the holy grail of lab machines.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated if you have dealt with or heard anything good about a certain machine or manufacturer. 

Have a good soggy Monday.