Elastic Impression Materials:

Synthetic Elastomers

D R N A Z I S H FAT I M A
BDS, MDS
A S S I S TA N T P R O F E S S O R
S C I E N C E O F D E N TA L M AT E R I A L S
ZI A U D D I N C O L L E G E O F D E N T I S T RY
 ELASTIC IMPRESSION MATERIAL

 ELASTIC MATERIAL are able to being stretched, compressed or distorted and

then tending to resume the original shape.

 Elastic impression materials are capable of accurately reproducing both the hard

and the soft structures of the mouth including the undercut areas and interproximal
spaces
 ADVANTAGE OF ELASTIC IMPRESSION MATERIAL OVER RIGID
IMPRESSION MATERIAL

Elastic impression material can be used in both dentulous and edentulous cases
with undercuts. The distortion of elastic impression material when removed from
an undercut is minimal.
 ELASTOMERES

 Any material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, that is able to resume its original

shape when a deforming force is removed.

 Elastomeric impression materials are considered as viscoelastic and recover only

slowly and not completely after being compressed or stretched.

 Elastomeric impression materials offer high elastic recovery and acceptable flexibility

on removal of the impression from the mouth.

 They offered potential solutions to the two main problems associated with

hydrocolloids – poor tear resistance and poor dimensional stability.

 TYPES OF ELASTOMERES

Four types of elastomers are in general use:

 Polysulphides;

 Silicone rubbers (condensation curing type);

 Silicone rubbers (addition curing type);

 Polyethers;
 CLASSIFICATION OF ELASTOMERIC IMPRESSION MATERIALS ACCORDING TO
CONSISTENCY.

Type Description Consistency test disc

diameter (mm)
Min Max

0 Very high --- 35

consistency (putty
like) –
1 High consistency --- 35
(heavy bodied) –
2 Medium consistency 31 41
(medium bodied)
3 Low consistency 36 ------
(light bodied)
 POLYMERIZATION

 Polymerization is the process of connecting monomers together and creating large

macromolecules of different sizes and shapes.

 Polymerization that occurs through the coupling of monomers using their multiple

bonds is called addition polymerization.

 Monomers are connected by a reaction in which two molecules are covalently bonded

to each other through loss of a water molecule; this is called a condensation

polymerization
POLYSULPHIDE
 COMPOSITION
Component Function

Base paste Polysulphide prepolymer with This is further polymerised and

terminal and pendant thiol (– cross-linked to form rubber
SH) groups

Plasticizer-di-n-butyl To control viscosity

phthalate
Inert filler – possibly chalk or To give ‘body’, control
titanium dioxide viscosity and modify physical
properties

Catalyst paste Lead dioxide or other To react with thiol groups –

alternative oxidizing agent causing setting
Sulphur Involved in setting reaction

Inert oil – normally paraffinic To form a paste with PbO2 and

type or di-n-butyl sulphur
 POLYSULPHIDE

 These materials are generally supplied as two pastes which are dispensed from tubes.

 The base paste is normally white, due to the filler, and has an unpleasant odor caused
by the high concentration of thiol groups.

 The color of the catalyst paste is governed by the nature of the oxidizing agent used;

materials containing lead dioxide are normally dark brown.

 An adhesive is used to promote adhesion between the impression material and tray.
 Setting reaction

 On mixing the two pastes, terminal and pendant thiol groups of the prepolymer chains

undergo a reaction with lead dioxide.

 The reaction is of the condensation polymerization type since one molecule of water is

produced as a byproduct of each reaction stage.

 GRADES OF PASTE

Three grades of paste are normally available to the

practitioner

 Light-bodied’,

 Regular-bodied’

 Heavy bodied’,
 PROPERTIES

1- SETTING TIME

 Setting commences immediately on mixing of the two pastes and is

characterized by a gradual increase in viscosity and a rather slow development

of elasticity.

 Setting times of 10 minutes or more are not uncommon, particularly for light-

bodied materials.
2- TEAR RESISTANCE
The polysulphide elastomers have very good tear resistance. They can, typically,

withstand about 700% tensile strain before tearing.

3- VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES
They are considered as viscoelastic and recover only slowly and not completely after

being compressed or stretched.

 ROLEOF FILLER CONTANT ON PROPERTIES

 Many of the properties of these products are directly related to the amount of filler

incorporated in the pastes.

 This particularly applies to viscosity, setting contraction, thermal contraction after

removal of the impression from the mouth and dimensional stability.

Filler Light- Viscosity Setting Thermal Dimens
content bodied contraction contraction ional
| | | stability
|
| Increasi
Increasi Regular- Increasing Decreasing Decreasing ng
ng bodied
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

Heavy-
bodied
 DIMENSIONAL CHANGE IN POLYSULPHIDE

Dimensional changes occurring after apparent setting of polysulphides are due to two
major factors.

 Firstly, continued reaction occurs for some time after the apparent setting time, causing

further shrinkage.

 Secondly, water produced as a byproduct of the setting reaction may be lost by

evaporation from the surface.

 ADVANTAGE

• Reasonable tear strength

• Good elastic properties

• Moderately hydrophilic and hence can work well in the presence of some moisture.

• Finish lines for crown and bridge is clearly visible

• Dimensional stability (Accuracy)

• Comes in a number of different viscosity's

• Long working time (although this may be a disadvantage in some clinical situations)

• Long shelf life

 DISADVANTAGE

 They have an unpleasant odor and taste.

 Lead oxide in base paste may have toxic effects

 Staining of clothes due to the Lead oxide

 Can only be used in a special tray

 CLINICAL USE
 They are commonly used for crown and bridge impressions and only infrequently for

other applications.

 The clinical technique usually adopted for polysulphides is a one-stage procedure.

(Freshly mixed low viscosity material is loaded into an impression syringe and the high
viscosity material is loaded into the special tray. The light-bodied material is injected
around those teeth on which cavities have been cut or crown cores prepared. The tray,
containing heavy-bodied material, is then seated so that the two materials can set
simultaneously).
one-stage procedure
 The casts should be poured within 24 hours of mixing if possible.

(Whilst the materials have good short term dimensional accuracy, they will undergo
plastic flow after setting)

 One great benefit is that the surface of the impression can be electroplated using a
copper sulphate electroplating bath. An epoxy resin die material can then be used to
form the bulk of the working cast. Such metal/plastic dies, whilst expensive to produce,
are very hard and are not prone to damage in the laboratory when the crown and
bridgework is being made.
POLYETHER
 COMPOSITION

Component Function

Base paste (large tube) Imine-terminated prepolymer Becomes cross-linked to form

rubber
Inert filler – silica To give ‘body’ control
viscosity and physical
properties

Plasticizer – e.g. phthalate To aid mixing

Catalyst paste (small tube) Ester derivative of aromatic Initiates cross-linking

sulphonic acid
Inert filler – silica To form paste

Plasticizer – phthalate
 SETTING REACTION

When the two pastes are mixed together a cationic, ring opening addition

polymerization occurs.

 Distinct activation,

 Initiation

 Propagation

 Base paste/catalyst paste volume ratio of about 8 : 1.

ACTIVATION
INITIATION
PROPAGATION
 PROPERTIES

 The polyether materials have adequate tear resistance and elastic properties

approaching those of the silicones.

 Relatively rigid

 The accuracy of polyether impressions compares favorably with other regular-bodied

elastomers.
 Under conditions of low relative humidity, the polyether materials have very good
dimensional stability
 CLINICAL APPLICATION

ADVANTAGE

 The polyethers are sufficiently dimensionally stable on setting to allow this approach when using
a stock impression tray.

 Polyether materials are hydrophilic, consequently they can record an accurate impression

when it is difficult to achieve perfect moisture control.

Disadvantage
The rigidity of these materials when set this can make removal of impressions very
difficult in dentate patients when there are marked undercuts present around the teeth.
 Allergic reactions have also been associated with the use of polyether impression

materials, usually to the sulphonic acid catalyst system.

 A ‘standard’ disinfection routine of 10 minutes immersion in sodium hypochlorite is

unlikely to have a deleterious effect on the accuracy of these materials, although longer
periods of immersion in water will result in water uptake and associated dimensional
change
 3-Silicone rubbers
(condensation curing)
 Composition
Component Function

Paste Hydroxyl-terminated Undergoes cross-linking to

polydimethylsiloxane (liquid form rubber
silicone prepolymer)

Inert filler Gives ‘body’, controls

such as silica viscosity and modifies
physical properties

Liquid Alkyl silicate such as Acts as cross-linking agent

tetraethylsilicate

Tin compound such as dibutyl tin dilaurate

Acts as reaction catalyst
 Setting reaction

 These materials may be supplied as two pastes or as a paste and liquid.

 On mixing the two components, either two pastes or paste and liquid, a reaction begins

immediately in which the terminal hydroxyl groups of prepolymer chains react with the
crosslinking agent under the influence of the catalyst.

 Each molecule of cross-linking agent may, potentially, react with up to four prepolymer

chains causing extensive cross-linking.

 Each reaction stage also produces one molecule of ethyl alcohol as a byproduct.
 PROPERTIES

 Setting times are generally shorter and elasticity is developed earlier.

 The silicone impression materials are very hydrophobic and are readily repelled by
water or saliva.----- (BLOW HOLES)
 The set material has adequate tear resistance.
 The silicones have elastic properties which most closely approach the ideal of
complete and instantaneous recovery following stretching or compression.
 Many of the properties are related to the filler content of the pastes.
 Dimensional changes after setting, for condensation curing silicones, may be due
to
 Continued slow setting
 Loss of alcohol produced as a byproduct of the setting reaction.
 The latter effect produces a measurable weight loss which is
accompanied by a shrinkage of the impression material.
 To obtain optimum accuracy (The models should be cast as soon as possible after

recording the impression).

 Silicone elastomers may be considered essentially non-toxic, despite the fact that they

contain a heavy metal catalyst.

4- Silicone rubbers
(addition curing)
 INTRODUCTION

 Introduced after condensation silicones

 Have better properties than condensation type
 Also known as poly vinyl siloxene
 COMPOSITION

Base paste
1. Poly methyl hydrogen siloxane (Hydried or silane terminated silicone)
2. Other Siloxane pre-polymers
3. Fillers
Catalyst paste
1. Divinyl poly dimethyl siloxane Prepolymer
2. Platinum salt activator (Chloroplatinic acid)
3. Siloxane pre-polymers
4. Fillers
 Four viscosities are available depending on the amount of filler incorporated by the
manufacturer.
 Putty consistency
 High consistency
 Medium consistency
 Low consistency
PACKAGINGS
 SETTING REACTION

 On mixing the two pastes a platinum-catalysed addition reaction occurs, causing cross-

linking between the two types of siloxane prepolymer.

 It is noteworthy that the reaction does not involve the production of byproducts
although it has been reported that these materials occasionally evolve hydrogen.
SETTING REACTION
 Properties

 Adequate setting characteristics

 Adequate tear resistance

 The combined use of putty and light-bodied materials enables accurate impressions to

be recorded. The most significant difference between the addition curing and the
condensation curing materials is in their relative dimensional stability.

 The production of little or no byproduct in the cross-linking reaction of the addition

curing material results in a very stable impression.

 TYPES

 HYDROPHOBIC

 HYDROPHILIC

 Silicone elastomers are inherently hydrophobic in nature – a characteristic which can

cause imperfections in impressions if the area to be recorded cannot be thoroughly

dried.

 An alternative approach to solving this problem has been through the use of a surface-

active spray which is used to coat the surface of the hard and/or soft tissues prior to
recording an impression.
 Role of surface active spray

 The use of hydrophilic materials or surface active sprays helps not only to improve the

affinity between the impression materials and the oral tissues during recording of the
impression, but also in the compatibility with the water-based gypsum model material.
This ensures that detail recorded in the impression is transferred through to the model.
 CLINICAL APPLICATION

 Light-bodied materials used to record accurate surface detail on prepared tooth

surfaces.
 Medium viscosities, commonly used as a monophase material during either crown and
bridgework or denture manufacture.
 Heavy-bodied materials used to support light body in stock trays for crown and bridge
impressions.
 Heavy body and wash or putty and wash impressions can be performed as a one-stage
procedure.
 The viscosity of the putties is such that on seating the impression tray into the mouth
the sides of the tray flex outward. When the impression is removed from the mouth
they then rebound inwards, distorting the impression.
 ONE STAGE PROCEDURE

 There are two solutions to this problem.

 Firstly, rigid metal stock trays can be used which do not flex under seating loads.

 Alternatively an initial putty impression can be recorded with a polythene spacing sheet

between the putty and the teeth. This is allowed to set fully and then the light-body
impression is recorded as a second stage. The spacing sheet is required to avoid the
large hydraulic pressures which would develop if a light wash was placed inside a well
fitting putty impression. These pressures would cause distortion in their own right.
 Problem associated with additional curing
silicones

 There are two problems with the addition cured silicone rubbers.

 First they are markedly hydrophobic.

 Second, the platinum catalyst system in the addition cured materials is relatively easy

to poison, inhibiting the set of the material.

(Problems can be encountered with the plasticizers in rubber, from gloves or rubber
dam, glove powders, some haemostatic agents, particularly those based on ferric salts
and freshly placed methacrylate-based materials, including composites, compomers and
light-cured glass ionomer cements.)
 Comparison of the
properties of elastomers
Property Polysulphides Condensation Addition Polyethers
silicones silicones
Viscosity Available in three Available in four Available in Available in a
viscosities (no viscosities four single
putty) including viscosities viscosity
putty including putty (regular) +
diluent + putty
Tear resistance Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate

Elasticity Viscoelastic Very Good Very good adequate

material
Accuracy * Good with special Acceptable with Good with Good with
trays stock stock special trays
trays trays

Dimensional Adequate, but Models should be Very good† Very good in low
stability pouring poured as quickly humidity
of models should as conditions