Elastic Impression Materials

Dr Anas Alibrahim
BDS, MDSc (Pros), PhD
Outline
 Requirements for an impression material.
 Classification of impression materials.
 Hydrocolloids impression materials.
 Agar agar.
 Alginate.
 Synthetic elastomers.
 Chemistry of synthetic elastomers.
 Viscosities of elastomeric impression materials.
 Polysulphide.
 Condensation silicone.
 Addition silicone.
 Polyether.
 References.
Requirements for an
impression material
 Simple to use and not
technique sensitive.
 Initially be a fluid.
 After a finite working
time sets rapidly.
 When set is an
elastomeric solid.
 Good tear resistance.
 Reproduce fine details.
Cont …
 Dimensionally
accurate.
 Dimensionally
stable.
 No reaction with
model materials.
 Acceptable taste.
 Inexpensive.
Classification of impression
materials
Impression materials

Non elastic elastic

Hydrocolloids Synthetic elastomers

Reversible Irreversible Polysulphide

Polyether

Silicones

Addition silicone Condensation silicone

Hydrocolloid impression materials
 Reversible
Agar
Sets by cooling.

 Irreversible
Alginate
Sets by chemical
reaction.
Uses of Agar
Contents of an agar product
 Agar → Colloidal dispersion.
 Borax → Gel strengthener.
 Potassium sulphate → Accelerator.
 Alkyl benzoate → Fungicide.
 Flavouring → Taste.
 Water → Dispersion medium.
 Supplied in sachets No mixing.
Use of agar as an impression
material
 Water bath 1 80 ◦c
 Water bath 2 50 ◦c
 Fill impression tray 45 ◦c Solution
 In mouth 45 ◦c Gel
 Remove from mouth 32 ◦c
 Cast model 22 ◦c
Agar
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Good surface detail.  Dimensional
 Reusable. instability.
 Accurate.  Need special
 Low cost. equipment and
technique.
 Hydrophilic.
 Tears easily.
Alginate
Structure of alginate
 Called also sodium alginate.
 Complex polysaccharide derived from
seaweed.
 Forms hydro gel by cross – linking
reaction when dispersed in water.
 Other uses : dressing for burns,
thickening ice cream.
Content of an alginate powder
 Sodium alginate → Reactant.
 Calcium sulphate → Reactant.
 Sodium phosphate → Retarding salt.
 Diatomaceous earth → Filler.
 Magnesium oxide → Ph – modifier.
 Potassium fluorotitanate → Accelerator.
 Flavouring → Taste.
 Dust suppressant → Dentist’s health.
Content of an alginate mix
 Alginate powder → 30%.
 Water → 70%.

How to increase or decrease setting time !?

Chromatic alginate

 Violet → Spatulate.
 Pink → Load tray.
 White → Insert in
mouth.
Alginate
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Easy to use and mix.  Poor dimensional
 Non toxic and non stability.
irritant.  Messy to work with.
 Good surface detail.  Tears easily.
 Cheap and good
shelf life.
 Setting time can be
controlled.
Errors and limitations
 Permanent
deformation.
 Distorted
impression.
 Dimensional
inaccuracy.
 Torn impression.
 Impression materials

Non elastic elastic

Hydrocolloids Synthetic elastomers

Reversible Irreversible Polysulphide

Polyether

Silicones

Addition silicone Condensation silicone

Chemistry of synthetic
elastomers
 The reactants : base
paste, catalyst paste.
 Setting reaction.
 Product/s of reaction:
elastomer / other
product of reaction.
Viscosities of elastomeric
impression materials
Viscosity Form Use

Low Syringable/wash Record fine

detail
Medium Paste General
purpose
High Putty Support for
wash
Polysulphide

 Thiokol rubber.
 Base paste →
Polysulphide.
 Catalyst paste →
Lead oxide and
sulphur.
 Cross linking
reaction.
Polysulphide
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Dimensionally  Unpleasant odour.
stable.  Slow setting.
 Accurate.  Dirty.
 Long working time.  Contains lead.
 Long shelf life.  Hydrophobic.
 Condensation
reaction.
Condensation silicone

 Polysilixone.
 Condensation
reaction.
 Alcohol by product.
Condensation silicone
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Good surface detail.  Hydrophobic.
 No odour.  High polymerisation
 Rapid setting. shrinkage.
 Clean.  Limited shelf life.
 Easy to use.
Addition silicone

 Polyvinylsiloxane.
 Addition reaction.
 Pt catalyst.
Addition silicone
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 Hydrophilic.  Catalyst may be
 No odour. poisoned.
 Rapid setting.  H2 gas may be formed
 Clean. on pouring the model.
 Dimensionally stable.
 Long shelf life.
 Excellent surface detail.
Polyether
 Base paste :
Polyether, filler.
 Catalyst paste :
Sulphonic acid ester.
 Addition reaction.
Polyether
 Advantages  Disadvantages
 No odour.  Very rigid when set.
 Rapid setting.  May cause allergic
 Clean. reactions.
 Hydrophilic.
 Dimensionally
stable.
Effect of filler on properties of
elastomers

 More filler → Higher elastic modulus.

Wash < medium body < Putty

Critical properties
 Polymerization contraction.
 Thermal contraction.
 Dimensional stability.
 Elastic recovery.
 Tear resistance.
 Stiffness when set ( elastic modulus).
Comparison of materials
P/M Polysulphide Condensation
silicone
Addition
silicone
Polyether

Polymerization
contraction 4 1 3 3
Thermal
contraction 2 4 4 2
Dimensional
stability 2 1 4 4
Elasticity
3 3 4 1
Tear
resistance 1 4 3 3
Total score 4
= best, 1 = 12 13 18 13
worst
Mixing of base and Catalyst

 Traditional mixing.
 Cartridged automixing.
Cartridged automixing
 Advantages:
 Mix /supply on demand.
 No mixing implements
to clean or sterilise.
 Direct application.
 Disadvantages:
 Cost.
 Waste
(new nozzle each time).
Automixing heavy bodied
elastomers
 Heavy bodied pastes – cartridges
installed in the dispenser.