Characterization of different water/powder ratios of dental gypsum using fiber Bragg grating sensors.

The impact of five different water/powder (w/p) ratios in the characterization of high strength dental stone was evaluated, since the recommendations of the gypsum' manufacturers are not always correctly followed by the dental prosthesis technicians. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were used to measure the setting expansion and temperature variation which occurred during the setting reaction for each w/p ratio, as well as the thermal expansion coefficient. Thick mixtures with low w/p ratios had more crystals impinging upon each other during crystal growth, resulting in more expansion and more heat released. This thermal behavior was only achieved to w/p ratios within the manufacturer-recommended mixing ratio range. The results also revealed the existence of boundary condition; this corresponding to the limit of the mixing ratio recommended by the gypsum' manufacturer. Data provided in this study are particularly important for dental technicians with a view to attaining the best results in accuracy of fit for their prosthetic works.