Preparation of experimental dental alginate impression material from Sargassum spp. seaweed extract based on its setting time

Abstract

Alginate impression material is one of the most widely used impression materials in dentistry because it is easy to use, economical, and exhibits excellent impression results. Indonesia’s coastal waters are rich in brown seaweed, one of which is Sargassum brown seaweed, which can be processed into alginate and eventually used in dentistry. Thus, this preliminary, laboratory-based experimental study aims to prepare experimental dental alginate impression material from Sargassum spp. seaweed extract obtained from Binuangeun (Banten, Indonesia) based on its setting time tested according to ANSI/ADA Specification for Alginate Impression Materials no. 18: 1983. After extracting Sargassum spp. seaweed, the alginate powder was mixed with its water/powder ratio obtained from the combination of alginate composition and tested for its final setting time. The obtained impression material from Sargassum spp. seaweed was in the form of sodium alginate powder extract, which was light brown, odorless, and shaped like fine sand. This study suggests that the preparation of experimental impression materials from seaweed extract obtained from Sargassum spp. has a setting time of 3 min corroborating ANSI/ADA Specs no. 18: 1983, signifying the potential to be used with various other additives to produce Indonesia’s alginate impression materials.