Dental Assistant Practice Exam

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Study for the Dental Assistant Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you succeed. Get ready for your exam today!

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What is the working and setting time for regular alginate impression material?

Working time - 1 minute; Setting time - 2 minutes
Working time - 2 minutes; Setting time - 4 1/2 minutes
Working time - 1 minute; Setting time - 4 minutes
Working time - 3 minutes; Setting time - 5 minutes

The correct answer is: Working time - 2 minutes; Setting time - 4 1/2 minutes

The working and setting times for regular alginate impression material are typically 2 minutes for working time and 4 1/2 minutes for setting time. This means that once the alginate is mixed, the dental assistant has about 2 minutes to apply it into the impression tray and place it into the patient's mouth before it begins to set. After placement, the material takes about 4 1/2 minutes to fully set and harden, allowing for an accurate impression of the oral structures. These times are critical for ensuring that the impression captures all necessary details without the alginate prematurely hardening or losing its proper consistency. Understanding these timings helps dental assistants effectively manage the impression-taking process, ensuring both patient comfort and the accuracy of the dental impressions needed for procedures like orthodontics or crown fittings.