Kerr’s Alginator ensures smooth, consistent, bubble-free alginate with every use
When we asked several dentists to describe Kerr’s Alginator, we repeatedly heard the same word—consistent. In fact, Dr. Pearl Zadeh told us that “consistency, consistency, consistency” is what she liked best about the Alginator automatic mixing machine
“There can be quite a variation in the way that various assistants and clinicians mix alginate, and this equipment helps to make it more consistent,” described Debra Haselton, DDS. Dr. Rachna Surana pointed out that good impressions are the key to any dental treatment’s success, and said the Alginator allows for good and consistent impressions every time.
We asked a sizable group of clinicians to weigh in on the Alginator for this DPS evaluation.
Ease of Mixing
The Alginator single-speed (110 v) automatic alginate mixing machine produces a smooth, bubble-free mix while eliminating waste and reducing cleanup time, according to the manufacturer. “It’s often difficult to predictably hand mix alginate, and Kerr’s Alginator repeatedly produces very smooth and consistent alginate for impressions,” said Sean Grady, DDS. Dr. Sherwood Tucker agreed and noted, “Any assistant can get a perfect mix after being shown how.” Dr. Haselton called the product easy to use and said it helps achieve a more calibrated product.
The Alginator is billed as portable, ergonomic, and easy to use, and Dr. Fauzia Khan said she likes that it is compact and reduces cleanup time. She added, “Taking the alginate out of the spinning bowlwas extremely easy, leaving very little to clean out.” When asked about potential improvements, Dr. Alan Howard recommended, “It would be nice to have premeasured alginate.”
Alginate Consistency/Smoothness
Dr. Grady explained that hand mixing had resulted in inconsistencies and bubbles in alginate material, but the Alginator provided “very smooth, predictably bubble- free alginate.” He went on to note, “I don’t have to worry about having to retake impressions over and over because the hand-mixed alginate was inadequate. This saves chair time and betters the patient experience.”
Dr. Tucker, who wanted a complete, smooth mix with the same setting time, said, “I was amazed at how smooth the mix was and how much more detail was achieved.” For Dr. Khan, the Alginator provided a creamy consistency, with less distortion and fewer bubbles than that achieved with hand mixing. “The Alginator allows us to have a very well-mixed alginate that handles predictably and achieves a very smooth mix,” concluded Dr. Haselton. “Compared to mixing by hand,” shared Dr. Howard, “this is consistent and alginate comes out smooth.”
Impression Quality and Consistency
Dr. Surana said the Alginator results in amazing impressions that produce a “wow factor” with patients and employees, and noted that the Alginator provides consistently great impressions with very little learning curve for new employees. She likes the Alginator so much, in fact, that she recommended that it be a standard for impressions in every dental practice. Similar feedback was provided by Dr. Zadeh, who said the mixer ensures consistent impressiontaking no matter who is taking the impression, and added, “[The Alginator] prevents reimpressions due to bubbles or technique of spatulation.” Dr. Grady agreed that the very smooth alginate results in better impressions and said his staff loves the Alginator.
Overall Satisfaction
All of the evaluators said they would recommend the Alginator to other dental professionals. Dr. Tucker said he always recommends a product when he’s extremely happy with it and knows there will be no surprises. Because of his satisfaction with the Alginator, he purchased 3 of the mixers so they would be at hand wherever they are needed. Calling the Alginator an inexpensive, worthy investment, Dr. Khan said her dental assistants stand by it wholeheartedly, and it has been an easier method for making alginate.
Dr. Zadeh summed up her experience with the Alginator by saying, “I like to know there is a certain standard of care provided in practice. This allows for me to have a predictable and consistent outcome every time.”
The DPS evaluators were consistent in their praise for the Alginator and, thus, deemed it to be a Best Product.
