hydrocolloid

hydrocolloid /hy·dro·col·loid/ (-kol´oid) a colloid system in which water is the dispersion medium.

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hy·dro·col·loid (hdr-kloid)

n.

1. A substance that forms a gel with water.

2. Such a substance used to take dental impressions, especially one derived from marine kelp.

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hydrocolloid (hī´drōkol´oid),

n.pl 1. the materials listed as colloid solids with water; used in dentistry as elastic impression materials. They can be reversible or irreversible.
n.pl 2. an agar-base impression material.

hydrocolloid, irreversible (alginate),

n a type whose physical condition is changed by a chemical action that is not reversible. It is an impression material that is elastic when set. See also alginate.

hydrocolloid, reversible (agar-agar type),

n a type whose physical condition is changed by temperature. The material is made fluid by heat and becomes an elastic solid on cooling.

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hydrocolloid

a colloid in which water is the dispersion medium.

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hydrocolloid wound dressing

impermeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide, the colloid interacts with tissue fluid to form a nonadhesive gel.