Abstract
Alginate impressions, immersed in a glutaraldehyde solution for 30 minutes, were fixed with solutions of CaCl2, K2SO4 and ZnSO4 using respective concentrations of 2, 5 and 10% for 0.5, 1 and 5 minutes. A saturated CaSO2 solution (clear slurry) was also applied. Surface roughness and waviness of the stone casts obtained from the fixed impressions were measured.
Fixing with ZnSO4 was most effective in reducing the surface roughness of stone casts at any concentration or time without altering the surface waviness, while the roughness was reduced by fixing with CaCl2 and K2SO4 solutions in relation to increases in the concentration or time. Applying clear slurry for 1 minute can be easily performed in clinical use.
