DEFINITION

“An impression is essentially a

negative or reverse replica of any

entity. In dentistry, this replica is of

the teeth and its supporting and

surrounding structures.”
 According to the ability of the set
material to be
withdrawn over undercuts :

Elastic
impression materials Non-elastic or Rigid
Rubbers impression materials
Hydrocolloid
Polysulfide.  Impression
 Agar  Poly
compound
Alginate
silicones.  ZOE
 Polyether.
 Ideal Requirements of
Impression Materials
1. Fluid enough to adapt to the oral
tissues
2. Viscous enough to be contained
in the tray
3. In mouth should transform (set)
into a rubbery or rigid solid in a
reasonable amount of time:
setting time less than 7min
• Set impression should not distort
or tear when removed from mouth

• Impressions must be
dimensionally stable until the
cast can be poured
 Impression should maintain
dimensional stability after removal of
cast to enable making of a second or
third cast from same impression
 Biocompatible
 Material associated, processing
equipment, and processing time
should be cost effective
 Elastomers
or
Rubber base Impression materials
fulfills most of these
 Soft and rubber-like & are known

as elastomers or synthetic rubbers.

 As per ADA Sp. No. 19 they are

called as - non-aqueous Elastomeric

dental impression materials.

Liquid polymers which are converted

into solid rubber at room temperature

Contains large molecules with weak

interaction between them, tied together

at certain points and form 3D network

Basically used for dentulous cases

by virtue of their ability of

withdrawal from under cuts and

their excellent surface detail

reproduction.
 Types:

III.According to chemistry ( setting

rxn)
1) Polysulfides
2) Polysilicones – condensation &
addition
3) Polyether
2. According to Viscosity
1) Light body or syringe
consistency
2) Medium or regular body
3) Heavy body or tray
consistency
4) Very heavy body or putty
consistency
3. ADA Classification
Based on selected elastic
properties & dimensional
changes
1) Type I
2) Type II
3) Type III
 General Properties:

 Excellent reproduction of
surface details
 Generally hydrophobic (except
poly ether)
Good elastic properties

(repeated pouring is possible)

Dimensional inaccuracies are

lower but exists due to various

reasons
 Excellent tear strength.

 Extended shelf-life

 Generally higher cost

 Requires tray adhesive or

mechanical interlocking with the

tray.
 CHARACTERSTICS

Rheological properties
(viscoelastic )- play major role
Introduced as Viscous pastes-
setting reaction- viscoelastic
solids.
imp. Mat. should be free of any
distortion dev due to strain during
its removal, thus the mat. Should
be visco elastic i.e. intermediate
behavior between elastic solid and
viscous liquid.
Supplied as:

• All elastomers - two paste systems

(base & catalyst)
• Putty consistency – supplied in jars
 Uses:

 Impression material for all applications

including
 Fixed partial dentures
 Dentures and edentulous impressions
 Border molding of special trays (poly ether)
 Bite registration
 As duplicating material for refractory casts
1. POLY SULFIDES:

Ist elastomer to be introduced

mercaptan/Thiokol
 Polysulfide
 Firstdental elastomers
 Indications
 completedenture
 removable fixed partial denture
tissue

 crown and bridge

 Composition:
Base Paste:
 Liquid Polysulfide Polymer -
80 to 85 %
 Inertfillers (Titanium dioxide, zinc
sulfate ,copper carbonate or silica)
16 to 18 %
 Plasticizer-- dibutylpthalate (viscosity)

 Accelerator--- 0.5% Sulfur

Reactor /catalyst/accelerator Paste
Lead dioxide - 60 to 68 %
Dibutylphthalate (plasticizer) - 30 to 35 %
Sulfur (accelerator) - 3%
Retarder --- oleic acid or stearic acid
Other substances like Magnesium
& deodorants- 2 %
Tray adhesive:

Butyl rubber or

styrene/acrylonitrile dissolved in a

volatile solvent such as chloroform

or a ketone.
 Chemistry and Setting Reactions

The lead dioxide reacts with the poly sulfide

polymer
Oxidizing agent like lead dioxide initiates
polymerization rxn through
 Chain lengthening by oxidation of the
terminal -SH groups and
 Cross-linking between pendant -SH groups.
 Exothermic reaction - 3 to 40 C
rise in temp. leaving water as by
product.
 It is accelerated by heat and
moisture
 PbO2 + S
HS - R- SH HS - R-S-S-R-SH
+ H2O

Mercaptan + Lead dioxide Poly sulfide

+Water

T-butyl hydro peroxide – alternative to PbO2

 Polysulfide Reaction

--SH HS---------------------SH H -S-S---------------S-S-

O O S--

=
=

Pb S Pb S + 3PbO + H O
H 2

=
=

O O = Pb = O S
H O
S

mercaptan + lead dioxide polysulfide rubber

+ lead oxide + water

O’Brien Dental Materials & their

Properties:
• Unpleasant odor and colour - stains linen &
messy to work with
• Extremely viscous and sticky - mixing is
difficult
• Mixing time is 45 seconds
• Long setting time of 12.5 (at 370C) - Patient
discomfort
• Excellent reproduction of surface detail
 Dimensional stability:
- Curing shrinkage is high 0.45%.
 It has the highest permanent
deformation (3 to 5%) among the
elastomers
 It is hydrophobic - so the mouth
should be dried thoroughly before
making an impression
 The shelf life is good (2 years)
 Advantages
Lower cost
compared to silicones and
polyethers
Long working time
High tear strength
High flexibility
Good detail reproduction

Phillip’s Science of Dental Materials 1996

 Disadvantages
 Poor dimensional stability
 water by-product
 pour within one hour
 single pour
 Custom trays
 Messy
 paste-paste mix
 badodor
 may stain clothing
 Long setting time
Phillip’s Science of Dental Materials 1996
 Silicone Rubber
Impression Material:
Developed to over come some of the
disadvantages of poly sulfide
 Types
Based on the type of
polymerization reaction

1) Condensation silicones

2) Addition silicones
CONDENSATION SILICONE:

• Also known as conventional

silicone.

• Available in light, medium and

putty consistency
 Indications

complete dentures

crown and bridge

 COMPOSITION:
Base paste Accelerator paste

Polydimethyl siloxane Tetraethyl

(hydroxyl-terminated) Orthosilicate – (cross
linking agent)
Colloidal silica or Stannous octoate –
microsized metal (catalyst)
oxide (filler) 35-75%
Color pigments
SETTING REACTION:

CH3 OC2H5

OH-Si-OH + C2H5O-Si- OC2H5

Sn octoate
CH3 OC2H5
Silicone
+ CH3CH2OH

Cross-linking between terminal group of the

silicon polymers and alkyl silicate to form 3D
network
Dimethyl + Tetraethyl
orthosilicate
siloxane

Stannous octate

Silicone + ethyl
rubber alcohol
Ethyl alcohol – byproduct-evaporate
-shrinkage &dimensional
instability

 Tray adhesive –

Polydimethyl siloxane & Ethyl

silicate
Properties:
• Pleasant odor and color.
• Mixing time of 45sec & setting time of
8-9mins.
• Excellent reproduction of surface
details and highly elastic.
• Lesser dimensional stability
- high curing shrinkage (0.4 - 0.6%)
permanent deformation due to
shrinkage caused by the
evaporation of ethyl alcohol is also
high (1-3%).
Hydrophobic - needs a dry field..
Biologically inert.
Compatible with all gypsum
products.
 Advantages
Better elastic properties
Clean, pleasant
Stock tray
putty-wash

Good working and setting time

 Disadvantages
Poor dimensional stability
high shrinkage
polymerization
evaporation of ethanol
pour immediately
within 30 minutes
Hydrophobic
poor wettability
 Addition silicones:

Also called as polyvinyl siloxanes

Better properties than condensation
silicones.
 Indications
crown and bridge
denture
bite registration

-Improvement over condensation

silicones
-no by-product
Composition:
Base:
Poly (methyl hydrogen
siloxane)
Other siloxane prepolymers
Fillers
 Accelerator:

 Divinyl poly siloxane

 Other siloxane pre polymers
 Platinum salt: Catalyst
(chloroplatinic acid)
 Palladium (Hydrogen absorber)
 Retarders
 Fillers
SETTING REACTION:

CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

Pt salt
Si-H + CH2=CH-Si Si-CH2-CH2-Si
activator
CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

Vinyl + Silane Silicone

siloxane siloxane rubber
 No by product, but imbalance
 hydrogen gas  air bubbles
in the stone models
 To avoid this palladium
/platinum is added.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sulfur compounds retard the setting of

silicones
One source of sulfur contamination is
from latex gloves
Vinyl gloves should be used
Properties:
• Pleasant odor and color
• Excellent reproduction of surface
details
• Mixing time of 45 secs ,setting time of
5-9 mins.
• Best dimensional stability
- low curing shrinkage (0.17 %)
- lowest permanent deformation (0.05 –
0.3 %)
 Stone pouring delayed by 1-2 hours
 Extremely hydrophobic, some
manufacturers add a surfactant
(detergent) to make it more hydrophilic
 Good shelf life of 1-2 yrs
 Good tear strength (3000gm / cm2)
 Advantages

 Highly accurate
 High dimensional stability
 pour up to one week
 Stock or custom trays
 Multiple casts
 Easy to mix
 Pleasant odor
 Disadvantages
Expensive
Sulfur in latex gloves + ferric and
Al sulfate in retraction solution
inhibits setting

Polishingteeth with pumice req

before impression.
Short working time
Lower tear strength
Possible hydrogen gas release
bubbles on die
palladiumor platinum salts added to
absorb gases and act as scavenger
 Addition Silicones
 Surfactants added
 reduce contact angle
 improved
castability
gypsum

wettability??
still need dry field clinically

Pratten J Dent Res 1987

Mandikos Aust Dent J 1998
 Poly ether Rubber
Impression material
Introduced in Germany in late
1960’s
Good mechanical properties and
dimensional stability, but short
working time, very stiff material and
expensive
Composition:
Base Paste
Poly ether polymer
Colloidal silica (filler)
Glycol ether or phthalate
(plasticizer)
 Accelerator paste

 Aromatic sulfonate ester (cross-

linking agent)
 Colloidal silica (filler)
 Phthalate or glycol ether (plasticizer)

 Available as 3 viscosities: light,

medium & heavy bodied.
 CHEMISTRY & SETTING
REACTION
H O O H

CH3 – C - CH2 – C – O – R – O – C - CH2 – C - CH +  Crosslinked

rubber
N N

CH2-CH2 CH2-CH2

Polyether + Sulfonic ester  Crosslinked rubber

Exothermic reaction  4-50 C

Properties:
2. Pleasant odor and taste
3. Mixing time is 30 secs, setting time of
8 mins
4. Dimensional stability is very good.
Curing shrinkage is low (0.24%)
The permanent deformation is
also low (1-2%).
 Very stiff (flexibility of 3%), needs
extra space,
 around 4 mm is given.
 5. Hydrophilic (moisture control
not critical)
 6. Shelf life extends upto 2 years
 Advantages
 Highly accurate
 Good dimensional stability
 Stock or dual-arch trays
 Good surface detail
 Pour within one week
 kept dry
 Multiple
casts
 Good wettability
 Disadvantages
 Expensive
 Short working time
 Rigid
 difficult to remove from undercuts
 Bitter
taste
 Low tear strength
 Absorbs water
 changes dimension
AUTOMATIC DISPENSING & MIXING DEVICES

ADVANTAGES:
- More uniform mix
- Less air bubbles
- Reduced working time
 Different methods of making impressions

1. Single mix or mono-phase technique:

- Regular viscosity elastomer is used (addition

silicone/polyether)
- Paste is mixed, part of it is loaded on to the
tray & the
remaining onto the syringe
- Syringe material is injected onto the prepared
area & tray material is seated over it.
 Multiple
mix
technique

DISADV:
Higher viscosity
material may
displace more fluid
wash material
 RELINE OR 2-STAGE PUTTY
WASH TECHNIQUE

• Preliminary impression is made with a putty

consistency using a thin plastic sheet or spacer
over it (acts as a spacer)
• Light body is injected around the prepared
tooth
• The plastic sheet is removed & putty
impression is seated back
 ELASTOMERIC IMPRESSION
MATERIALS: PROPERTIES

WORKING AND SETTING TIMES

 Working time- begins at the start of
mixing and ends just before the elastic
properties have developed
 Setting
time- time elapsing from the
beginning of mixing until the curing has
advanced sufficiently so that the
impression can be removed from the
mouth with a minimum of distortion
 Increase in temperature- accelerates
curing time
 Increase in viscosity- decrease in working
and setting time
 Dimensional stability
1. Polymerization shrinkage
2. Loss of byproduct
3. Thermal contraction from oral to room
temperature
4. Imbibition
5. Incomplete recovery of deformation
because of viscoelastic behavior
 Reproduction of oral detail

The rubber impression materials are

capable of reproducing detail more
accurately than can be transferred
to the stone die or cast
 ELASTICITY

Elastic properties of elastomeric impression

materials improve with an increase in
curing time in the mouth
Permanent deformation following strain in
compression increases in following order-
addition silicone, condensation silicone,
polyether and polysulfide
 Tear strength
 Measures the resistance to fracture of
elastomeric material subjected to a tensile
force acting perpendicular to a surface
flaw
Biocompatibility
Polysulfide- lowest cell death count
Polyether- highest cell toxicity
 Elastomeric Impression
Materials
Rapidly remove
decreases
permanent
deformation
chains recoil
from a
recoverable
distance
increases tear
strength Phillip’s Science of Dental Materials 1996
 Comparison of Properties

Working time
longest to shortest
agar > polysulfide > silicones > alginate
= polyether
Setting time
shortest to longest
alginate < polyether < agar < silicones <
polysulfide

O’Brien Dental Materials & their Selection 1997

Stiffness
most to least
polyether > addition silicone >
condensation silicone >
polysulfide = hydrocolloids
Tear strength
greatest to least
polysulfide > addition silicone >
polyether > condensation silicone
>> hydrocolloids
O’Brien Dental Materials & their Selection 1997
Cost
lowest to highest
alginate < agar = polysulfide
<condensation silicone < addition
silicone < polyether
Dimensional stability
best to worst
addition silicone > polyether >
polysulfide > condensation silicone
> hydrocolloid Phillip’s 1996

O’Brien Dental Materials & their Selection 1997

Wettability
best to worst
hydrocolloids > polyether >
hydrophilic addition silicone >
polysulfide > hydrophobic addition
silicone = condensation silicone
Castability
best to worst
hydrocolloids > hydrophilic addition
silicone > polyether > polysulfide >
hydrophobic addition silicone =
condensation silicone
O’Brien Dental Materials & their Selection 1997
Thank you