How long should you wait before separating the impression from the stone model?

The appropriate waiting time before separating the impression from the stone model is typically around 45-60 minutes. This time frame allows for the stone material to set adequately, ensuring that the model retains its shape and detail without distortion. If the impression is separated too early, when the stone is still in a soft or unset state, it may not replicate the contours and characteristics of the impression accurately, leading to an inaccurately formed model. Waiting within this optimal period ensures that the interfacial binding between the impression and stone material has fully solidified, resulting in a more precise and usable model for further dental procedures, such as the creation of removable partial dentures.