In dental laboratories, precision begins with a stable and accurately articulated model. Plastic Model Base Formers are fundamental consumables used to create the sturdy plaster or stone base for master casts during the fabrication of crowns, bridges, dentures, and other prostheses.
These formers are typically injection-molded from durable, rigid plastic in a standard horseshoe (arch) shape. They feature a flat platform with raised walls that contain the poured gypsum material. The underside of the platform often has retention grooves or patterns that lock the set stone into place, preventing separation from the base. Key features include molded slots or holes designed to accommodate the pins of a drill pin machine (Pindex system). This allows the technician to precisely drill holes in the set model for the placement of removable pinning systems, enabling sectioning of the dies for individual tooth work while maintaining their exact spatial relationship within the arch.
Available in various sizes (small, medium, large) to correspond to different dental arches, these base formers are designed for OEM and wholesale purchase, making them cost-effective for high-volume labs. They provide a perfectly shaped, consistent, and stable foundation for every model, which is the critical first step in ensuring the accuracy of the final prosthetic restoration. A reliable model base is the bedrock of quality laboratory craftsmanship.