Figure 1. Opaque products are ideal for the gray masking of several types of fabrications. These include implant supported bars, partial denture frameworks, embedded alloy reinforcement, and attachments positioned closely to surface of tooth and flange.

Figure 2. Gray influence at 2 mm from surface illustrates the need for masking, since many times cases possess even less acrylic than 2 mm.

Figure 3. Air abrasion using 50 micron aluminous oxide. Clean with water and towel dry or dry with compressed air. It is not recommended to steam clean as moisture can be imparted into surface texture causing poor bonding of composite to prepared metal primed alloy.

Figure 4. A thin wash coat is applied and cured for a cycle. A covering coat is then applied to fill in any gray showing through wash and cured. An additional covering coat can be applied and cured if necessary. A final composite primer coat is applied and cured for one minute to prepare for acrylic bond. Light exposure to all sides is critical in obtaining a uniform cure.

Figure 5. Gradia Opaque offers three standard shades and the option to create a wide range of variation for each by adding increments of the Gum Opaque Modifier 51.

Figure 6a. Here shade sticks are fabricated on 20 penny nails allowing for zeroing in on the shade of opaque on alloy to match the acrylic to be used. Photo illustrates how it is used to match Naturecryl Super Hi Impact acrylic. Using nails offers a chance to observe the effects of the opaquing material in actual use on a gray canvas.

Figure 6b. I prefer to supply acrylic shade guides with holes in the center to better match tissue intraorally or comparing shade on a custom fabricated opaque shade stick by surrounding the tissue or shade stick with the matching color.

Figure 7. Recommended products to prepare and perform metal opaque technique on any alloy having most variety of shades in acrylic bonded to it. Make sure that a brush is dedicated to each individual product, Metal primer, composite primer and opaque.