Marking Patient Casts

In a busy orthodontic office, a patient's study casts can be labeled with the wrong name in the laboratory by the time the impression is poured. An easy way to prevent this problem is to mark the alginate impression with the patient's initials at the chair, immediately after the impression is taken. An indelible marking pencil is required; we use a Berol turquoise pencil (A).

The poured cast, when separated, will show a negative image of the initials. A mirror can be used if necessary for definitive identification. The cast can then be permanently labeled as usual (B).