Impression materials

by
Bibin bhaskaran
 Impression materials

Definition :- (GPT):

1) A negative likeness or copy in reverse of the

surface or object.

2)An imprint of the teeth and adjacent

structures for use in dentistry
Impression material:-
Any substance or combination of substances
used for making an impression or negative
reproduction.

Impression technique:-
A method and manner used in making a
negative likeness.
 classification
inelastic or elastic
rigid
material use material use

Chemical plaster of Paris Edentulous Alginate Teeth and

reaction ridge hydrocolloid
(irreversible) soft tissues

zinc oxide-eugenol Interocclusal Non aqueous

records elastomers

Polysulfide,polyet
her

Condensation
silicone

Addition silicones
Thermally
induced Compound wax Preliminary Agar TEETH &
Physical impression SOFT
reaction TISSUES
(reversible)
 Classification

Based on rigidity : Rigid

eg Plaster,Zincoxide eugenol
impression compound
Elastic
eg Alginate,polyether,silicone

Based on setting of the material: 1.) Chemical reaction(irreversible)

eg plaster of paris,zincoxide eugenol
alginate,additon and condensation silicones
2 ) Physical change of state(reversible)
eg agar
Based on viscosity : Mucostatic

eg impression plaster,agar,
light body elastomer

Mucocompressive

eg Impression compound,alginates

Pseudoplastic

eg addition silicones
Based on interaction with saliva
and water : Hydrophobic
eg polysulfide ,condensation
silicones
Hydrophilic
eg putty,impression plaster
Based on use :
Primary
impression material
eg impression compound,alginate

Secondary
Impression material
eg Zoe,medium bodied elastomers

Duplicating
material
eg agar
Based on
Chemical composition : impression plaster
impression compound
metal oxide(zinc oxide eugenol)
pastes
agar hydrocolloid
alginate hydrocolloid
polysulfides
condensation silicones
addition silicones
polythers
light curing polyether
(urethane dimethacrylate)
 Desirable qualities

Pleasant odor taste and color

Absence of toxic irritants
Adequate shelf life
Economical
Easy to use
Setting that meet clinical requirements
Satisfactory consistency
 Readily wet oral tissues
Elastic
Adequate strenght
Dimensional stability
Compatiblity with cast and die materials
Accuracy
Disinfection
 Impression plaster
ADA Composit Uses Mixing Working Setting Advanta Disadvan
specificat ion time time time ges tages
ion
No 25 Calcined Primary 60 sec Altered same Good Requires
caso4 impressio by use of deatail separatin
Anti n material additives reproduct g medium
expansio Seconda ion Dry
n agents ry Inexpens sensation
k2so4 impressio ive to
Accelera n material Easy to patients
tors handle mouth
k2so4 Non
Retarder toxic
borax Increase
Gelatin d shelf
Gum life
tragnath Setting
Starch time can
Alizarin be
red controlle
d.
 Impression plaster

The impressions are very accurate

Being hydrophilic it has got intimate contact with oral
tissues by absorbing surface moisture
 Impressioncompound
ADA Compositi Uses Flow Advantage Disadvanta Disinfectio
specificatio on s ges n
n
No 3 Rosin Type 1- Type 1 Non toxic Although
Type 1- Copal primary flow at and non plastic not
Impression( resin impression, mouth irritant fluid 2%alkaline
low fusing) Carnauba peripheral temp is 6% Hardens in enough to glutarldehy
Type 2- wax tracing Type 2 reasonably record fine de
Tray(high Stearic Type 2-As flow at acceptable detail
fusing) acid a tray to mouth time Distorts
Talc support temp is 2% Compatibl over
Coloring other e with undercuts
agent materials gypsum Shrinkage
products on cooling
No Dimension
separating al change
medium on storage
required
 Impression compound

Fusion temperature of impression compound is 43.5 degree

celesius
 Zincoxide eugenolimpression material
ADA Composit Uses Mixing Setting Advanta Disadvan Disinfecti
specificat ion time time ges tages on
ion
No 16 2 tubes Impressi 1 min/30- Type 1- Adheres Burning
Type1 Tube 1- on pastes 40 sec Initial well to of 2%
(hard) ZnO Cement 3-6min tray eugenol glutarlde
Type 2 Veg or Tempora Final- Sufficien Persisten hyde
(soft) mineral ry filling 10 min tly fluid to t taste
oil Root Type 2- record Adheres
Tube 2- canal Initial- fine detail to tissue
Clove oil filling 3-6min No Rigid
or Bite Final dimensio material
eugenol registrati 15 min nal cant be
Gum/pol on paste change in used
ymerised Tempora setting
rosin rly reline process
Filler material Hard
silica Surgical when set
Lanolin dressing No
Accelera separatin
tors g medium
cacl2,mgc required
Zincoxide eugenol impression material

Non eugenol pastes-

One of the chief disadvantages of Zoe pastes is the possible
burning sensation caused by
eugenol.orthoethoxybenzoic acid (EBA) is a valuable
substitute for eugenol in this regard.
ADA Composi Uses Mixing Alginate Advanta Disadvan Disinfecti
specificat tion time ges tages on
ion Working Setting
time time

No 18 Soluble To Type 1- Type 1- Type 1- Non Dimensi 10 min in

Type 1 alginates record 45sec 1.25- 1-2min toxicand onally sodium
(Fast) Na,K, impressio Type 2- 2min Type2 non unstable hypochlo
Type 2 Ammonia ns of 1min Type 2- 2-4.5min irritant Tears if rite
(Slow) Calcium dental 3-4.5min Accepta undercut solution
sulphate arches ble odor s severe 10 min in
dihydrate Premilin Compati Difficult iodophor
Trisodiu ary ble with to solution
m impressio gypsum sterilize 10 min in
phosphat n Elastic Poor glutarald
e Duplicati Sufficien shelf life ehyde
Diatoma ng cast tly fluid solution
ceous and
earth models
Potassiu
m
titanium
fluoride
Flavouri
n agent.
 Alginate

Gelation reaction-

2Na3P04 + 3CaSo4----- Ca3(Po4)2+3 Na2SO4

 Recentadvancesin alginates

Dust free alginates-

De-dusting agent (glycerin or glycol)

Siliconized alginates-
silicon polymers are added to strengthen the material

Alginates containing disinfectants-

eg quaternary ammonium salts or chlorohexamine are added to
alginate powder.

Hard and soft set alginates-

by adjusting the amount of fillers
 Reversiblehydrocolloid-AGAR
ADA Compositi Gelation Liquefactio Advantage Disadvanta Disinfectio
specificatio on temperatu n s ges n
n re temperatu
re

No 11 Agar 37 degree 60 to 70 No custom Requires Iodophor

Sulfates celesius Degree tray conditionin /bleach/glut
(k2so4) To celesius required g unit arldehyde
Borax 45 degree Clean and Decreased
Alkyl celesius pleasant dimensiona
benzoate Easy to l stability
Water pour Weak inn
Fillers Inexpensiv deep sulcus
(silica) e
Plasticizer( Good shelf
glycerine) life
Bactericid High
e accuracy
(thymol) Re-usable
colors
 Agar

Gelation-
Gelation is accomplished by circulating cold water of
approximately 18-23 degree for not less than 5 min.
Elastomeric impression materials

Classification :-
Based on viscosity-
Class 1 heavy body heavy viscosity
Class 2 regular body or medium body
Class 3 light body or low viscosity
Based on chemistry-
Polysulfides
Condensation silicones
Additional slilicones
Polythers
Visible light curable polyether
 POLYSULFIDES
ADA Mixing Working Setting Advanta Disadv Disinfe
Specific Composition time time time ges antage ction
ation s
1,Base paste 45 sec- 5-7min 8min No Custo
Liquid polymer 1min special m trays 2%
containing equipme require glutarld
thiol,mercaptan or nt d ehyde
No 19 polysulfide Superior Hydro
polymer. strength phobic
Filler titanium Pouring Sensiti
dioxide can be ve to
Plasticizer-DI-n- delayed heat
butyl phthalate to 1 hr Long
Sulfur Can be setting
electropl time
2,Reactor paste- ated High
Pbo2 or organic Adequat shrinka
hydroperoxides or e shelf ge
inorganic life High
hydroxides perman
Inert oil/plasticizer ent
Filler -silica deform
 polysulfides

Polysulfide is one of the least stiff or highly flexible of elastomeric

material
For accurate polysulfide impressions-
The cast should be poured immediately after taking impression
Minimise the amount of material used to take impression by using
custom made acrylic trays
 Condensationsilicones
(Doublemixtype)
ADA Mixing Workin Setting Advant Disadva Disinfec
Specific Composition itime g time time ages ntages tion
ation

Base paste- 45 sec Upto 10 12 No Custom

No 19 Polydimethyl 5 min min special tray 2%
siloxane/liquid equipme required glutalde
2 types- silicone polymer nt Difficul hyde
Filler silica required t to
1,Doubl Reactor paste- Modera electropl
e mix Tetra functional te ated
type silicates strenth hydrop
2,Putty Tin compound in deep hobic
type sulcus
Adequa
te shelf
life
Pleasan
t odor
 Condensation silicones

It is also called room temperature vulcanising silicones(RTV)

Uses
It is widely used in recording dentulous impressions in preparation of
crowns,bridges,inlays,onlays and to some extent for partial dentures
It is also used to record edentulous impressions in preparation of
complete denture
 Putty type
Advantages
No custom tray required
No special equipment required
Moderate strength in deep sulcus
Pleasant odor
Adequate shelf life
Disadvantages
Should be poured shortly after removal
Hydrophobic
Difficult to electroplate
Easily distorted
 Additionsilicones
(Doublemixtype)
ADA Mixing Working Setting Advantag Disadvan
Specifica Composition itime time time es tages
tion

Polymer polyvinyl Is greater No Custom

No 19 siloxane,vinyl 30- 45 sec than 10-12min special tray
polysiloxane,vinyl silicones equipment Hydroph
2 types silicones Dimensio obic
1,Double Cross linking agent- naly stable Expensiv
mix type hydride silicone Good e
2, Putty Catalyst shelf life
type chloroplatinic acid Pleasant
odor
 Addition silicones

Addition polysilicones are the most stable of all the existing

materials
It has an excellent recovery of 99.93%
It exhibits pseudoplastic properties.it can be used both as syringe
and tray materials
 Puttytype

Advantages

No custom tray
No special equipment
Good shelf life
Can be poured more than once

Disadvantages

Extremely hydrophilic
More difficult to pour
Most expensive
 Polyethermaterials
ADA Mixing Working Setting Advantag Disadva
Specificati Composition itime time time es ntages
on

Base plate tube- No Custom

No 19 Pre polymer- 30-45 sec 2-3min 5-6 min special tray
ethylene amine equipment Very
Inert filler-silica Finish line stiff
Plasticiser easily read Least
glycolether Pleasant tear
Catalyst paste- odor strength
Ester derivatives Can be More
of aromatic poured expensiv
sulphonic acid more than e
Plasticiszer once
phthalate Hydrophil
Thinner-octyl ic
phthalate Good
Methyl cellulose shelf life
Fast
setting
 Polythers

Uses-
For recording impression in preparation of crowns and
bridges
Cavity preparation for inlays and onlays
For construction of partial and complete dentures
 Visiblelightcured polyether
ADA Disadvantages
Specification Composition Advantages

Light bodied material=syringe Complete control over Need for

No 19 Heavy body=tubes W.T/S.T transparent trays
Introduced in Curing time relatively If delay in
1988 Contains short placement
Polyurethane dimethacrylate Excellent material to be
resin with sio2 +plasticizer physical/mechanical/clini stored in dark
Polymerises in light cal properties place
Difficult to cure
remote areas
Should not be
used in patients
allergic to
methacrylates
 Light cured polyether

It has excellent elasticity

It has infinite working time and short setting time
The impression can be stored upto two weeks
 Disinfection

Most manufacturers recommend a specific

disinfectant,such as iodophor,bleach,or glutaldehyde,for disinfection.
Certain disinfectants may result in gypsum casts that have a lower surface
hardness or diminished surface detail.
The current protocol for disinfecting hydrocolloid impressions recommended
by the centre for disease control is to use house hold bleach(1 to 10
dilutions),iodophor or synthetic phenols as disinfectants
An alternate disinfection method is by immersion,but this should not exceed 10
min.
 Duplicating materials
Duplicating is required for two reasons:-
1, The cast on which the wax pattern of the metal frame work is to be
formed must be made from refractory investment because it must
withstand the casting temperatures required for gold or base metal
alloys
2, The original cast is needed for checking the accuracy of the metal
frame work and for processing the denture base portion of the
partial denture
The most common duplicating materials are agar hydrocolloid
compounds, The primary advantage of agar is their set is
reversible.the disadvantage is it is subject to dimensional
change.The best storage condition is 100% humidity.
 Tissue conditioners
Tissue conditoners are soft elastomers used to treat an
irritated mucosa supporting a denture.it is used to
provide time for healing of soft tissues
Tissue conditioners are composed of powder containing
poly(ethyl methacrylate)and a liquid containing an
aromatic ester ethyl alcohol.
The properties that make tissue conditioners effective are-
1,viscous behavior which allows adaptation to irritated
denture bearing mucosa
2,viscoelastic behavior which cushions the cyclic forces of
mastication and bruxism
 References

Zardiackas.L.D , Dental materials,Dentla clinics of morth

america,July 2007,vol 51,pg 629-643 .

OBrien.W.J, Dental materials and their selection, 3rd

edition, Quintessence publications.

Craig.R.G, Dental Materials, 12th edition, Elsevier

publications.

Anusavice, Phillips Science of Dental Materials, 11th

edition, Saunders publications. Impressionmaterials.