Single-Use Alginate Impression Material
Identic Singles’ single-use packaging ensures consistent mixes without canisters, scoops, or water vials.
Kerr Corporation’s Identic alginate is now available in single-use packaging, eliminating the need for canisters, scoops, and water measures. Each Identic Singles poly-aluminum packet contains 18g of alginate (equivalent to approximately 2.5 scoops), the precise amount needed for a single impression. Once cut, the packaging serves as a water measure.
Identic Singles come in a fast-set, dust-free formulation. In this Dental Product Shopper review, 10 dentists evaluated Identic Singles Fast-Set, rating such features as packaging, flow, and quality of impressions.
Packaging and Delivery Method
To use, simply cut on the dotted line; half of the packet contains the amount of alginate needed for a consistent mix, and the other half becomes the measure for the perfect amount of water.
Ease of use of Identic Singles’ packaging was rated as excellent by 4 evaluators, as very good to good by 4, and as fair by 2. When asked about the delivery method, 5 evaluators rated it as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. Comments ranged from “no waste or spillage” to “[packaging] took up a lot of room.” Of the 3 evaluators who described the need for scissors as an inconvenience, 1 “would prefer a perforated package” and another “loved the [unit-dose] idea but could never get all the powder out of the one side, so some would always get all over when I cut the pouch.” One dentist who was already an Identic user “didn’t like the single-unit packaging. I prefer to dispense what I need.” One evaluator “cut the packet so I’d have a little more water in the mix” and another said the delivery method “makes dispensing and mixing easy.”
Flow and Mix
Flow characteristics of Identic Singles were rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 4, and as good by 1. One evaluator called it “very firm, not runny” and another described flow as “great.” The evaluator who said it “looks a little thick/stiff when loaded on the tray” also said it “flows very well but doesn’t run down the back of the throat.”
Identic Singles are designed to produce consistent mixes with each use. Mix characteristics and handling were both rated as excellent by 6 evaluators, as very good by 3, and as good by 1. One dentist called the consistency “great…very creamy,” another said it “feels different from other alginates,” and a dentist who uses the Kerr automatic mixer said the mix is “always the same.” One evaluator said handling was “great!...easy to load into the tray” and another said, “The dentist liked the hydraulics (better detail) but the assistants found it hard to mix.”
Working and Setting Times
Working and setting times were rated as excellent by 7 evaluators and as very good to good by 3. Comments included “sufficient working time and easily tolerated” and “sets just quick enough…no rushing but not much wait time either.” One dentist called working and setting times “longer than anticipated” adding, “It’s okay because the material isn’t running all over the mouth, making patients gag.” Another dentist said, “At first it appeared it would set up too fast, but I had plenty of time.”
Impression Detail and Precision
Detail and precision of Identic Singles impressions were rated as excellent by 7 evaluators and as very good by 3. One evaluator reported “excellent detail reproduction” and another said, “My impressions were great—very few bubbles or voids.”
Overall Satisfaction
Seven evaluators said they would definitely or probably purchase Identic Singles and 9 said they would definitely or probably recommend it to colleagues. One dentist called the single use packaging and delivery method “its best features” and another reported “perfect impressions— consistently.” Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 1, as good by 3, and as fair by 1.
