Plaster of Paris is a heavy white powder. When it's mixed with water, it forms a thick paste that gets hard fast.
The second type is made of fiberglass. This is a plastic material. It can be shaped. Fiberglass casts come in lots of colors. These casts are lighter and stronger than plaster casts. That makes them easier to wear. It also makes them last longer.
Your doctor will make sure that all the pieces of your broken bone are in their proper places. Then he'll put on the cast to prevent the pieces from moving while they heal. This way they'll grow back together into one bone. It also prevents injury to the area around the bone. Most kids with broken bones say it actually feels much better once the cast is on.
