Customer post: I watched the model duplication technique video on your Resource Center. Will I get the same results with my vacuum machine? Dr. Bob Brady, Reading, PA
Great Lakes post: We’re often asked about the difference between the vacuum machine and the MiniSTAR. The answer to your question is no…. because of the way the material is formed on the MiniSTAR – push down versus suction. The MiniSTAR uses positive pressure versus the suction of the vacuum machine. Positive pressure provides the accuracy that the vacuum machine just can’t.
The MiniSTAR operates at 45 pounds of positive pressure. It’s this, coupled with fact the same side of the material that’s been heated, is the side of the material that comes in contact with the model – it’s these two things together that ensures better fit and detail to your dental cast.
Any vacuum machine can only offer 14 pounds of pull or suction from underneath the model. That 14 pounds of suction has to go out around the model, grab that material and pull it down over the cast. It’s just not an efficient way to get good adaptation.
Compare the model fabricated on the Vacuum to the model fabricated on the MiniSTAR. Notice the lack of definition in the anterior segment as well as along the palatal area. Your model duplication on a vacuum machine will give you less than ideal adaptation.
Also, one of the common compliants we hear is that the technician is never sure when the material is heated properly on a vacuum. So you have to rely on the droop and slump of the material but you never really know when the time is right to form the material on a vacuum, which results in inconsistency and rework.
With the MiniSTAR, the heating times are listed on each box of material and you just enter it into the MiniSTAR for consistent heating each time.
Watch this Biostar – Vacuum Comparison that shows the difference between thermal forming with the Biostar (big brother of the MiniSTAR) and the vacuum machine.
Contact us at 1.800.828.7626 for more information about thermal-forming or if you need additional help with duplicating models.