The used device in flasking procedure is called:
- A- Articulator.
- B- Separating medium.
- C- Flask.
- D- None.
The correct answer is: 3- Flask
Here's why:
- Articulator: This device helps determine the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. It's not directly involved in the flasking process itself.
- Separating medium: This is a material used to create a separation between the mold and the cured denture acrylic. It facilitates removal of the denture from the mold.
- Flask: This is a metal container that holds the denture mold during the packing and pressing of the denture acrylic. It's essential for shaping and forming the denture.
Therefore, the flask is the device specifically used in the flasking procedure.
Flasking: The Mold-Making Stage for Dentures
Flasking is a crucial step in creating dentures. It involves encasing a waxed denture model, positioned on a dental cast, within a special container called a flask. This container allows for the creation of a mold that will ultimately be used to form the denture base using acrylic resin.
The Flask: A Two-Part Container
A flask is typically made of metal and consists of two main parts:
- Lower Flask: This is the base section where the dental cast with the waxed denture is positioned.
- Upper Flask: This section fits over the lower flask to enclose the model completely.
Flasking Procedure: Creating the Mold
Here's a breakdown of the flasking process:
- Preparation: The dental cast with the waxed denture is carefully inspected and ensured to be free of any imperfections. The flask halves are lubricated with a separating medium to prevent the cured acrylic from adhering to the flask itself.
- Investing: A mixture of artificial stone or dental plaster is prepared and poured into the lower flask. The dental cast with the waxed denture is then carefully placed into the wet stone, ensuring proper alignment and depth. Additional stone is poured into the remaining space in the lower flask, covering the waxed denture surfaces. The excess stone seeps through designated vents and hardens to create a solid base for the mold.
- Flasking Completion: Once the lower stone investment hardens, the upper flask section is secured onto the lower half. Another stone mix is poured into the upper flask, completely encasing the waxed denture. This upper stone investment sets to form the final part of the mold.
The Flask's Importance:
The flask plays a vital role in the flasking process for several reasons:
- Mold Containment: It provides a sturdy and well-defined space for the investing material (stone/plaster) to create a precise mold of the denture.
- Pressure Distribution: During the subsequent packing of acrylic resin into the mold, the flask helps distribute pressure evenly, ensuring proper formation of the denture base.
- Sectional Mold Creation: The two-part design of the flask allows for separation after the stone investment hardens. This enables access to the internal mold cavity for wax elimination and subsequent packing with acrylic resin.
In essence, the flask acts as a sturdy and reusable container that facilitates the creation of a precise and negative mold of the waxed denture. This mold is then used to shape the final denture base using acrylic resin.
