What is the most stable impression material?

What is the most stable impression material?
There are four main types of impression material that are routinely used in dentistry. They can be categorised into either rigid impression materials (zinc oxide eugenol and impression compound) or elastic impression materials (alginate and silicone). Each material is used for different purposes, as some laboratories require a more detailed impression than others. Impression materials are commonly classified by their elastic properties once set. Non-elastic materials are generally not used for taking impressions of crown preparations because of their inability to accurately record undercuts.

Rigid impressions (impression compound & zinc oxide eugenol)

The rigid materials are usually used to record impressions of edentulous arches only. Impression compound must be heated in a water bath and then moulded onto the impression tray. It doesn’t flow well and can't record fine detail. It is therefore used for primary impressions of edentulous arches. Impression paste is a modified form of zinc oxide eugenol. Other properties are added to make it suitable to use as an impression material. It comes in two tubes: one containing a white zinc oxide mixture and the other containing a red eugenol mixture. When using this product equal amounts of each paste should be squeezed onto a pad and mixed with a spatula. The mix should then be loaded into a special tray for secondary impressions of the edentulous arch. When the products are mixed together they will create a different colour; there should not be any red or white streaks remaining.

The advantages of impression paste include:

  • An improved fit.
  • Its accuracy can be improved by retaking the impression. This is done by adding fresh paste and inserting into the mouth until set.

The disadvantages of impression paste include:

  • It can't reproduce undercuts, so is unsuitable for partial denture impressions.
  • The material tends to stick to the lips and surrounding skin. This can be avoided with the use of petroleum jelly.
  • Some patients may be sensitive to materials containing eugenol, which can cause a burning sensation.

What is the purpose of making models?

There are many reasons for taking an impression to make a model in dentistry for example;

  • To study a case
  • To diagnose a case
  • To educate our patients about their dental needs
  • To treatment plan ( especially for orthodontics )
  • To construct indirect restorations including; Inlays, onlays, bridges, crowns and dentures.

Alginate

Alginate is  the most widely used of all the impression materials its is a hydrocolloid material made from seaweed. A hydrocolloid material is a gelatinous substance dispersed in water. It is described as being irreversible as it cannot return to a solution once set. Alginate also contains;

  • Ester salts of alginic acid ( sodium or potassium or triethanolamine alginate ) - 15%
  • Calcium sulphate (reactor)- 16%
  • Zinc oxide – 4%
  • Potassium titanium fluoride – 3%
  • Diatomaceous earth – 60%
  • Sodium phosphate – 2%
  • Colouring & Flavouring agent traces

When alginate is in its original state it comes in a form of powder in a variety of colours. Some alginates also have colour changing properties that help with mixing, loading and setting times. This is particularly helpful with less confident team members that take dental impressions and also nervous patient or those with gag reflexes. When alginate is mixed with water it forms a paste and then becomes a solid, elastic mass which gives us a negative reproduction. This can then be used to create a positive reproduction.

Alginate has many advantages, including:

  • It’s a cheap material that serves its purpose.
  • It has a limited working time based on the temperature of the water used and it is available in both standard and fast-setting varieties.
  • It is easily removable.
  • It is easier to use than other impression materials.
  • It has a neutral taste.
  • It is easy to mix.
  • It is non-toxic.
  • It has a good shelf life.

The disadvantages of alginate include:

  • It has poor dimensional stability.
  • It is messy to work with.
  • Excess water gain in the alginate impression can lead to swelling.
  • Excess water loss can lead to shrinkage.
  • Impressions can distort easily.
  • Alginate impressions must not be soaked for too long in a water-based disinfectant and should be cast up as soon as possible to avoid shrinkage leading to inaccurate dental work.

Silicone and putty wash

Silicone impression material consists of a base and catalyst in a putty consistency. Silicone impressions are classified according to their method of polymerisation on setting. They are available in a range of viscosities including light, medium, heavy and very high viscosity (or putty) material. When taking a putty impression it is usually combined with a low viscosity silicone. This is also known as the putty wash technique. Putties were developed initially to reduce the shrinkage of condensation silicones. There are three ways of recording a putty wash impression:

  • One-stage impression – putty and wash are recorded simultaneously.
  • Two-stage un-spaced impression – putty impression is recorded first and after it has set it is relined with a thin layer of wash material.
  • Two stage spaced impression – a space is created for the wash. This space may be made by:
  1. Using a polythene spacer over the teeth prior to making the putty impression.
  2. Recording the putty impression before the tooth preparation.
  3. Scooping away the putty and providing escape channels for the wash.

The most effective way of recording a putty wash impression is to use the one-stage technique in a rigid metal tray.

To support my research on impression materials I asked two dentists their opinions on the different impression materials:

Silicones are the most dimensionally stable of all the materials and will keep their shape even if left for long periods. However, silicones work best in a dry environment and may not be ideal if there is a lot of saliva. Alginate is flexible and flows well. This allows the impression material to record fine surface detail. However, alginate does have poor dimensional stability and will distort if left to dry or left in water for too long. - Dr May Ali

Alginate is the cheapest and most commonly used impression material. It is versatile and useful for denture work, opposing impressions for crown and bridge work and removable orthodontic appliances. Alginate is not as accurate as silicone and is prone to distortion if not kept damp. Silicone has different grades of thickness and is often used where more accurate work is required. It is commonly used for taking impressions for crowns, bridges, short term braces and fixed retainers. The heavier silicone can be used to record the area approximately and the lighter ('runnier') silicone can then be used to record the finer detail, giving a really accurate impression. This can be done in two stages or simultaneously. - Dr Liam Alsop

The differences between impression materials, as outlined above, are the materials themselves and the purpose they are used for. Each of the materials has advantages and disadvantages, but they are each used for a different purpose and are effective and commonly used products in dentistry today.

Author: R Gibbons, RDN, PTTLS

Impression materials, that is, the materials used to get an idea about the shape of teeth and the alveolar ridges, can be categorized as nonelastic and elastic materials.

From: Nanostructures for Oral Medicine, 2017

Elastomeric impression materials are used in a variety of dental procedures, and improved delivery systems and materials with better properties have made the impression technique more predictable (Figure 1). Impression materials are used to obtain an accurate replica of hard and soft oral tissues. An accurate impression is dependent upon proper technique and optimal impression material characteristics.

An ideal impression material should have many features. It should not shrink during polymerization, shipping or storage and should have excellent flow. The color of the impression material should be saturated enough to detect whether the prepared tooth margin is captured. An ideal impression material should also demonstrate excellent detail reproduction, good tear strength, and no distortion when removed from the mouth. It must be biocompatible, non-toxic and have an acceptable odor and taste. Desirable features also include long working time, short setting time, and a long shelf life. Disinfection should not reduce surface detail or accuracy. An ideal impression could be poured multiple times, without losing accuracy. No impression material meets all of these requirements, but significant improvements have been made.

While there are 5 types of impression materials commonly used in dentistry today (e.g., hydrocolloids, polysulfide, addition silicone, polyether, and vinyl-polyether hybrids), only 3 are commonly used for final impressions: polyether, vinyl-polyether hybrids, and polyvinyl siloxane. In this brief update, the chemistry and important properties of these 3 impression materials will be compared and contrasted. In addition, relevant clinical features of selected properties will be addressed.

Vinyl-polyether Hybrids

The newest class of impression material is the vinyl-polyether hybrids that include SENN (GC America, Alsip, IL; soon to be introduced in the U.S.). This new class of impression material combines properties from addition silicone and polyether impression materials. SENN is supplied as a 2-paste automixing system and contains a polymer with polyether and siloxane (e.g., addition silicone) groups that will combine elements and benefits of both impression materials. With the polyether groups, a hydrophilic material is provided without the use of a surfactant. With the siloxane groups on the polymer chain, a material that is dimensionally stable and recovers from deformation is combined with polyether properties. The material has a platinum catalyst, and the setting reaction is contaminated when powdered gloves are used to mix the material.

Little independent evaluation is available on the hybrids, but manufacturers’ data suggests that these products are hydrophilic during setting and after polymerization. They are supplied as putty, heavy, medium, and wash materials. An additional benefit is that they do not have the bitter taste of polyether materials and have a pleasant spearmint flavor. These hybrid materials may represent the blend of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity necessary to improve impression making by wetting the tooth well and pouring easily for cast fabrication.

Polyether

Polyether impression materials are supplied as a base (containing moderate length polyether macromonomer with terminal ethylene imine rings, silica filler and a plasticizer) and a catalyst (2,5 dichlorobenzene sulfonate, thickening agents and colorants).1 The polymer is formed during the cationic polymerization and opening of the imine rings. The open rings become cations opening rings of adjacent polyether chains, producing a cascade reaction that proceeds until polymerization is complete. The catalyst attaches to the end of the opened ring, lengthening the chain. The backbone of the set polymer is a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and ethylene oxide. No by-products are formed, and the materials have a successful clinical history. Machine mixing was introduced in 1993 (Figures 2; 3; 4) and, in 2000, an improved-taste, more flexible Impregum™ Penta™ Soft (3M™ ESPE™, St. Paul, MN) was introduced. At this time, the rigidity (i.e., strain in compression) of the set material was decreased to allow easier removal of the impressions from the mouth and improve cast removal without breaking teeth. In 2000, polyvinylsiloxane putty impression materials became the most rigid impression material (i.e., highest strain in compression). In 2005, the newest polyether impression materials were introduced: fast-setting 3M ESPE Impregum™ Penta™ Soft Quick (e.g., a monophase or medium viscosity) and Impregum™ Penta H (e.g., a tray or heavy bodied material) and DuoSoft Quick/Impregum™ L DuoSoft Quick (e.g., a low viscosity or wash material).

Polyvinylsiloxane

Polyvinylsiloxane (PVS), or addition reaction silicones, were introduced in the 1970s as a 2-paste system (i.e., a base and a catalyst). The base paste contains a polydimethylsiloxane polymer in which some terminal methyl groups are replaced by silane groups, coloring, and silica filler. The catalyst paste contains a pre-polymer in which some terminal methyl groups are replaced by vinyl groups, a chloroplatinic acid catalyst, fillers, and colorants. When the 2 pastes are mixed, an addition reaction occurs between the silane and the vinyl groups, producing a cross-linked silicone rubber. During polymerization, there is minimal dimensional change. Platinum or palladium is added to scavenge any hydrogen gas produced during the reaction. Polyvinylsiloxanes like Aquasil Ultra XLV (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE), Affinis™ (Coltène/Whaledent Inc., Cuyahoga Falls, OH) and Virtual™ (Ivoclar Vivadent, Amherst, NY) are accurate impression materials with excellent dimensional stability, good detail reproduction, high tear strength, adequate working time, and high recovery from deformation. Although meeting many of the criteria for an ideal impression material, polyvinylsiloxanes are hydrophobic. Cosmetic grade surfactants are now added to improve wetting of the impression material; combining this with lower viscosity wash materials has resulted in reduced remakes.

Addition silicone impression materials mixed while wearing latex gloves set slowly, if at all. The sulfur in the powder of latex (e.g., gloves or rubber dam) can inhibit the polymerization of PVS impression materials by contaminating the chloroplatinic acid catalyst,2 but not all gloves produce the same effect.3 For the best results, do not mix putty impression materials while wearing latex gloves; instead, use vinyl gloves (Figure 5). Wash powderless gloves prior to beginning the preparation; this will prevent powder from passing from gloves to teeth. Any tooth surface (Figure 6) touched or retraction cord handled while wearing gloves will be contaminated and distort the impression material in that area (Figure 7). The amount of catalyst available for the setting reaction is very small and is measured in parts per million4 and, in these amounts, can be easily inactivated. Stone dies made from hydrophobic PVS materials are harder than those obtained from polyether and hydrophilic PVS impression materials.5 In spite of their limitations, new low viscosity hydrophilic PVS impression materials have better clinical success than hydrophobic PVS impression materials. In a clinical study,6 a hydrophilic PVS impression material (Affinis) was compared to a less hydrophilic PVS impression material. Dental students in this study made an acceptable impression on the first try 8 times more frequently with Affinis. This clearly demonstrates that while not the only variable, impression materials can affect the accuracy of the final impression.

Hydrophilicity, Wetting and Contact Angles

Wettability is the ability of a liquid to spread over a surface. The wetting of a solid by a liquid can be measured by the contact angle. A contact angle of 0° degrees indicates complete wetting (i.e., hydrophilic). Higher contact angles (e.g., greater than 90°) mean lower wetting (i.e., more hydrophobic). Low contact angles mean good wetting and intimate adaptation of the impression material to the tooth surface. Surfactants lower the contact angle of the set PVS impression material and reduce voids in the recovered cast. However, the contact angle made against unset impression material is generally higher than against set material. The surfactant in the freshly mixed PVS impression material must migrate to the surface to make that surface hydrophilic. Since it takes time for the surfactant to migrate, silicone impression materials are not actually hydrophilic upon initial contact with moisture in the oral cavity (e.g., when syringing or inserting the tray). Recent studies have focused on measuring the contact angle of the unset impression material. When addition silicone and polyether impression materials are compared, the initial contact angle is lowest with polyether impression materials.7 In contrast to addition silicone impression materials, polyether impression materials are hydrophilic, with a high affinity to surfaces such as tooth and soft tissue. Polyether materials have intrinsic hydrophilicity compared to the hydrophilicity produced by adding surfactants to the impression material. The hydrophilicity of polyethers results from polarity of the polyether molecule. Recently, a number of articles have examined the hypothesis that a hydrophilic impression material can displace moisture in the sulcus. Some studies have reported improved wetting with PVS.8 However, clinically, a dry field produces more predictable results with any impression material.

Consistency

Impression materials are supplied in 4 viscosities. American Dental Association (ADA) Specification 19 determines viscosity by measuring the diameter of 1 ml of impression material placed between 2 glass plates with a standard weight applied; the larger the diameter of the disc of impression material, the lower the viscosity.9 All classes of elastomeric impression materials are available in multiple viscosities ranging from low (e.g., syringe or wash material), medium or monophasic, high (e.g., tray or heavy body), and very high (e.g., putty). The viscosity or flow of impression material increases as the filler content increases. Viscosity is also lowered by shearing forces (i.e., shear thinning). For example, a medium-body impression material has lower viscosity when injected into the sulcus through a syringe tip, but has adequate viscosity to avoid slumping when loaded into an impression tray.

Surface Detail

Surface detail is the ability of an impression material to accurately reproduce the surface of an object and is related to the viscosity of the impression material; low viscosity produces better detail.10 Detail reproduction is measured by making impressions of metal dies with 20- 50- and 75-micron grooves scribed in the metal block. A light-body impression material must reproduce a line 20 microns in width. High-viscosity putty materials have poorer detail reproduction. Smooth, rounded preparations reproduce better with all impression materials and die stones. Retraction cord medicaments—aluminum chloride, ferric sulfate, and ferric subsulfate/ferric sulfate, etc.—adversely affect the surface detail reproduction of PVS impressions.11,12 The sulcus should be rinsed thoroughly to remove all traces of the hemostatic agent applied to the retraction cord prior to making a PVS impression.

Setting and Working Time

The setting time for impression materials is the minimum time the material needs to be in place in the oral environment. Reducing the set time results in less distortion due to possible tray movement. Working time is measured from the start of mixing and includes time to manipulate and syringe the material around the tooth and into the sulcus, as well as be placed in the tray. Elastomeric impression materials have a working time of approximately 2 minutes and a setting time of between 2 and 6 minutes (i.e., fast vs. regular set). The setting time of all elastomeric impression materials is affected by temperature. The best method to increase working time is to refrigerate impression materials before use; increases of up to 90 seconds have been obtained when the material was chilled to 2° C.10

All elastomeric impression materials shrink during polymerization. Linear shrinkage varies by class of impression materials, with the addition silicone materials producing the lowest shrinkage. This shrinkage is compensated for by the expansion of the dental stone used to pour the impression.

When an impression is removed from the mouth, the material is stretched and compressed, particularly in the sulcus or interproximal area. The impression material will undergo 3 phases during removal; initially the impression material is stretched and, if the pressure is released, it will spring back to its original size and shape. But, if stretching continues, it is stretched to a point of “no return” called the yield point, where releasing the tension does not cause the impression to return to its original length, but it is instead permanently distorted. If stretching continues past the yield point, it tears (e.g. tear strength).

The ideal material has a high elastic recovery, a short permanent deformation stage and high tear strength. If it doesn’t distort, it tears and is easily seen as short of the margin and must be retaken. Impression materials that deform and do not tear may have visibly intact margins—and even flash past the margins—but be inaccurate due to the distortion produced during the permanent deformation. Rapid straining tends to maximize recovery from deformation. Therefore, the set impression should be removed from the mouth with a rapid pull (as much as is practicable) and not stressed slowly.

PVS materials are frequently reported to be the most ideal elastic impression materials because they exhibit better elastic recovery and less permanent deformation than other elastomers. However, new “soft” polyether impression materials have higher strain in compression and lower tensile strength compared to new “hydrophilic” addition silicone materials.13 Ideally, the space remaining after the retraction cord is removed is .3 mm to .4 mm.14 No differences in tear strength occur between elastomeric impression materials when the impression material is greater than .2 mm.15 However, when the sulcus is narrower than .2 mm, greater distortion results.16

Tear strength depends upon several factors: the gingival retraction, since thinner areas of impression material are weak and more likely to tear; the depth of the subgingival margin; the amount of hemorrhage, which can produce flaws in the impression, thereby lowering tear strength; and sharp edges on preparations and rough preparations that increase the resistance required to release the impression material from the surface.16

Conclusion

Recently, monophasic single step impression materials (Impregum Penta Soft and Aquasil XLV) were compared in a one-step putty wash technique.17 Two impressions were made of each preparation using each impression material. The same retraction method, tray type and size were used. One laboratory technician completed all of the all-ceramic restorations. After the restorations were tried in and adjusted, an impression was made of the exposed margins. The impressions were poured, and a model was separated. The marginal opening obtained for each material was measured and compared. No significant difference was seen for either material. Careful attention to detail and exacting technique produced outstanding but equal results.

Controlling bleeding, carefully retracting the sulcus, removing the cord, rinsing thoroughly, and carefully syringing the impression material will help obtain an excellent impression (Figures 8 and 9). The bottom line is that technique is most important, but materials are also helpful in difficult situations.

1. Craig RG. Impression Materials. In: Craig RG, ed; Restorative Dental Materials. 9th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 1993:306-313.

2. Cook WD, Thomasz F. Rubber gloves and addition silicone materials. Current note no. 64. Aust Dent J. 1986;31(2):140.

3. Matis BA, Valadez D, Valadez E. The effect of the use of dental gloves on mixing vinyl polysiloxane putties. J Prosthodont. 1997;6(3):189-92.

4. Boghosian AA. Overcoming the complexity of impression materials: Part 1. An interview with Alan A. Boghosian, DDS. Dent Today. 1991;10(6):38-41.

5. Panichuttra R, Jones RM, Goodacre C, et al. Hydrophilic poly(vinyl siloxane) impression materials: dimensional accuracy, wettability, and effect on gypsum hardness. Int J Prosthodont. 1991;4(3):240-8.

6. Blatz MB, Sadan A, Burgess JO, et al. Selected characteristics of a new polyvinyl siloxane impression material—a randomized clinical trial. Quintessence Int. 2005;36(2):97-104.

7. Kettke T, Dauelsberg H-J, Zawta C. Properties of precision impression materials crucial to their clinical success. A study of a new fast setting polyether from 3M ESPE. Quintessence Int. In press.

8. Sorensen, JA. Video contact angle measurement of impression materials on various substrates. J Dent Res. 2001;80 (Special Issue): IADR Abstract #2082.

9. Boghosian AA. Overcoming the complexity of impression materials: Part 2. An interview with Alan A. Boghosian, DDS. Dent Today. 1991;10(7):26, 28.

10. Mandikos MN. Polyvinal siloxane impression materials: an update on clinical use. Aust Dent J. 1998;43(6):428-34.

11. de Camargo LM, Chee WW, Donovan TE. Inhibition of polymerization of polyvinyl siloxanes by medicaments used on gingival retraction cords. J Prosthet Dent. 1993;70(2):114-7.

12. O’Mahony A, Spencer P, Williams K, et al. Effect of 3 medicaments on the dimensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of polyvinyl siloxane impressions. Quintessence Int. 2000;31(3):201-6.

13. Lu H, Nguyen B, Powers JM. Mechanical properties of 3 hydrophilic addition silicone and polyether elastomeric impression materials. J Prosthet Dent. 2004;92(2):151-4.

14. Ramadan FA. The linear effectiveness of dental tissue displacement materials. (Thesis) St. Louis: St. Louis University Dental School, 1968.

15. Laufer BZ, Baharav H, Ganor Y, et al. The effect of marginal thickness on the distoration of different impression materials. J Prosthet Dent. 1996;76(5):466-71.

16. Laufer BZ, Baharav H, Cardash HS. The linear accuracy of impressions and stone dies as affected by the thickness of the impression margin. Int J Prosthodont. 1994;7(3):247-52.

17. Burgess JO, Ripp A, Gallo J, Walker R and Mercante D. A double blind clinical study of two impression materials. IADR. 2005;84(Special Issue):Abstract #3047.

What is the most stable impression material?
 
What is the most stable impression material?
Figure 1 Excellent impression providing good detail of the prepared teeth and the hard and soft tissue.   Figure 2 View of Pentamix, the first mixing machine for elastomeric impression materials.
     
What is the most stable impression material?
 
What is the most stable impression material?
Figure 3 Demonstration of Pentamix loading of the impression material syringe.   Figure 4 Loading a triple function tray with impression materials mixed in the Pentamix machine.
     
What is the most stable impression material?
 
What is the most stable impression material?
Figure 5 Mixing putty impression materials with vinyl gloves.   Figure 6 Unset and contaminated addition silicone impression material on tooth #8, due to powder on latex gloves.
     
What is the most stable impression material?
 
What is the most stable impression material?
Figure 7 Impression taken based on the teeth in the clinical photograph (Figure 6) shows unset blue wash impression material around the central incisor.   Figure 8 View of an excellent impression of preparations for teeth #7 through #10.
     
What is the most stable impression material?
   
Figure 9 Close-up of previous impression showing the flash necessary to capture the preparation margins. This impression material demonstrated excellent tear strength.    
 
About the Author
What is the most stable impression material?
John O. Burgess, DDS, MS
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry New Orleans, LA

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