dental stone


dental stone

A hemihydrate of gypsum divided into four classes according to the qualities resulting from differing methods of preparation. It is used in dentistry in the preparation of models and study casts. See also: stone

den·tal stone

(dentăl stōn) Alpha form of calcium sulfate semihydrate with physical properties superior to those of the beta form (dental plaster); consists of cleavage fragments and crystals in the form of rods and prisms and is thereby denser than the beta form; can form a dense stonelike material when mixed with water; used to pour models (casts) of dental structures.