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Continuing Dental Education

I M P R E S S I O N TA K I N G

Mastering the Art

of Dental Impressions
Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA, CDD

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PEER-REVIEWED
Impression Taking
Mastering the Art of
Dental Impressions
Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA, CDD
ABSTRACT
Dental impressions play a vital
role in restorative dentistry.
Knowledge of impression material
characteristics and how they
influence the impression-taking
process allows better material
selection. Ideal impression materials
demonstrate highly accurate
intraoral details, dimensional
stability, and optimal patient comfort.
However, the perfect impression
material and technique depend on
specific treatment indications.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Explain the purpose of
impressions.
• Explain the components of
impression materials.
• Identify the ideal impression
material for different
indications.
• Describe techniques for taking
accurate impressions.
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D
ental impressions form the foundation for successful res-
torations, and yet with a wide variety of considerations,
materials, and techniques, obtaining impressions may
create confusion and inconsistencies in the dental practice. This
article aims to inform dental assistants about how to master the art
of impressions by understanding material characteristics, indication
requirements, and techniques that will allow the clinical team to
deliver quality dentistry that will last.
Although digital scanners are advancing alternatives for how
impressions are made, many dental practitioners are still using
conventional dental impression materials. There is still a need for
physical impressions in specific cases, even though a survey has
revealed that 76% of dental students prefer intraoral scanning—
the same survey showed that only 48% of practicing dentists
prefer digital to conventional impressions.1
Accurate physical impressions represent detailed records of the
oral cavity. They capture the exact dimensions of the prepara-
tion and the soft tissue, the margins of the preparation, and the
prepared teeth themselves and surrounding dentition relationship.2
The finite details ensure that restorations can be placed quickly
and comfortably. However, gag reflexes and patient discomfort
limit impression success by potentially compromising accuracy.3
Determining which types of materials and techniques to use can
make capturing exact details less difficult.
THE EVOLUTION OF IMPRESSION MATERIALS
The introduction of impressions as a dental technique began in the
1700s, when Philipp Pfaff demonstrated the method using soft-
ened wax.4 Over the following centuries, dental professionals have
used a variety of materials. Wax appeared usable but exhibited
too much distortion on removal. Plaster and zinc oxide-eugenol
showed an inability to flex over and around undercut without
breakage and were quickly abandoned.5
The introduction of hydrocolloid materials, agar, and alginate
(Figure 1 and Figure 2) provided greater accuracy but lower
tear-resistance and decreased dimensional stability over time.5,6
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1 2
Fig 1. Full-arch alginate impression. Fig 2. Alginate impression material.
Created to improve tear-resistance, polysulfide
rubber-based impression materials provided
greater accuracy but only minor improvements
in dimensional stability. The materials also
proved challenging to mix and produced a bad
odor.5 The 1960s brought polyethers, and in the
1970s, condensation and addition-reaction sili-
cones were introduced. These materials elimi-
nated both poor stability and low tear-resistance
problems.4 Although the materials provided an
improvement over previous options, they still
had limitations, and no material is ideal for every
impression situation.5
Dental professionals use impressions to ob-
tain exact replicas of hard and soft tissues. With
superior properties, improved materials ensure
the creation of more accurate and predictable
impressions.7 By providing the foundation for
future dental procedures, impressions represent
a blueprint to successful indirect restorations.8,9
CHARACTERISTICS OF
IMPRESSION MATERIALS
Hydrophilicity
Hydrophilicity, the impression’s affinity for
water, affects the way the material reacts in the
oral cavity. This characteristic influences the
material’s ability to accurately record intraoral
surface detail.4 Hydrophilic materials demon-
strate a high affinity for moisture and allow a
high degree of surface detail because of their
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strong surface-wetting capabilities. Hydrophobic
materials, contrarily, demonstrate low affinity
for moisture and offer a low degree of surface
detail, with poor surface-wetting properties.4,10-12
Hydroactive material provides a combination of
both hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteris-
tics. Because it is naturally hydrophobic, hydro-
active material becomes hydrophilic through the
addition of surfactants.2 This hybrid material
offers a superior degree of surface-wetting abil-
ity and detail.4
Elasticity and Tear Strength
Elasticity and tear strength describe the way an
impression material changes as it is removed from
the mouth. Ideally, the elasticity of the material
would allow it to stretch and then return to its orig-
inal shape. An impression can become distorted
when it is stretched beyond its elastic capacity and
does not return to its original shape. Similarly, tear
strength of an impression material demonstrates
its ability to return to its original shape without
tears.7 Several factors influence the tear strength
of impression material, including gingival retrac-
tion, depth of the subgingival margin, amount of
bleeding, any sharp edges on the preparations, and
any tooth preparations that increase the resistance
needed to remove the impression materials.13 Both
elasticity and tear strength require proper under-
standing to prevent the need for multiple impres-
sion retakes. Additionally, choosing a material
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Although preliminary impressions may not
require as much detail, it is still necessary to
obtain accurate impressions for diagnostic models
used for treatment planning.
that can be disinfected is important, as are the
protocols for disinfection that may be impression-
material specific.
Viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow of unset impres-
sion material. The four classifications of viscos-
ity include low (eg, syringe or wash material),
medium (eg, one-step monophasic material or
heavy body), high (eg, tray material), and very
high (eg, putty).7 The viscosity of impression
materials varies based on the amount of filler
present in the material.14 Viscosity affects the
ability of the material to capture intraoral de-
tails. Generally, lower-viscosity materials record
finer details and allow for the most significant
shrinkage while the impression material sets.14
However, low-viscosity materials prove harder to
work with compared with high-viscosity impres-
sion materials. Depending on the type of planned
restoration and the detail necessary from and in
the impression, different levels of viscosity may
be appropriate.
Working and Setting Time
Working and setting time describe the amount
of time it takes to mix and place the material
in the impression tray and the time required by
the impression to set in the oral environment,
respectively.7 Working time is influenced by the
number of preparations, the use of hand-mix
or automix materials, and the viscosity of the
material.2 Manufacturers have a variation in
setting times from regular to fast to allow the
clinician to select which amount is appropriate
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for the case being treated. Temperature affects
both working and setting time.2,15 Ideal working
time and setting time depend on the number of
preparations, the manufacturer’s directions, and
the skill of the assistant.
Dimensional Stability
Dimensional stability ensures that the laboratory
receives accurate and stable impressions. Ideally,
a completed impression remains unaltered for
prolonged periods, resists temperature changes
during shipping, and retains capability for fab-
ricating multiple accurate casts.10 Affected by
temperature, water absorption, and reduction
in spatial volume because of contraction from
polymerization, dimensional stability remains
an essential characteristic for the usability of
an impression.
MATERIAL SELECTION
Preliminary Impressions
Preliminary impressions, used for treatment
planning, do not require as many details as
the final versions; therefore, material options
are less costly, including hydrocolloids, such
as alginate, and polysulfide.7 These materials
should be avoided, however, when taking final
impressions.
What makes these materials less than ad-
equate for final impressions? Water-based hy-
drocolloids are made of up to 80% water.14 They
are very delicate materials with low tear strength
and that do not provide finite detail.16 Rubber-
based polysulfide materials lack dimensional
stability; although they provide enough detail
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for treatment planning, they should not be used
for final impressions.
It is crucial to remember that although pre-
liminary impressions may not require as much
detail, it is still necessary to obtain accurate
impressions for diagnostic models used for treat-
ment planning. The accuracy stipulations are
not nearly as stringent as they are for crowns,
implants, bridges, and any other restoration that
dentists place. However, preliminary models are
used to study occlusion, arch form, occlusal
plane, and esthetics, which are all important
records used in treatment planning.
Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials are
3 disadvantages. VPS materials provide less rigid
4 stability.7 The polyether contributes to the mate-
Fig 3. Full-arch impression material. Fig 4. Quadrant impression.
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excellent for creating an optimum diagnos-
tic impression. They allow multiple pours if
necessary and eliminate the need to pour the
model immediately. When using this material,
assistants should dry the teeth before placing
the impression and be careful to capture all the
surfaces of the teeth, extending well beyond the
free gingival margins (Figure 3 and Figure 4).
Final Impressions
Polyethers provide an accurate and useful option
for final impressions. They allow multiple pours,
long-term dimensional stability, and short setting
time.2 With a shelf life of up to 7 days, high
accurate surface detail, minimal distortion on
removal, and adequate tear strength, polyethers
offer an impression that will last. However,
polyethers’ disadvantages include rigidity, un-
pleasant taste and odor, tendency to absorb water
from the atmosphere and swell over time, and
difficult intraoral removal.2,5 Nevertheless, poly-
ethers have a successful clinical history and still
represent an established option in impressions.
Another final impression material, vinyl poly-
siloxane (VPS), improves several of polyether’s
impressions, neutral odor and smell, and im-
pressions that do not absorb excess fluid.2 Other
VPS advantages include multiple accurate casts,
extremely high accuracy, superior tear strength,
excellent elasticity, improved dimensional stabil-
ity, and shelf life of up to 7 days.2 An inher-
ently hydrophobic material, VPS improves this
characteristic with added surfactants to increase
the hydrophilicity.7 However, a disadvantage is
reduced polymerization when latex contamina-
tion occurs.2 As the most popular category of
impression material, VPS ensures an accurate
final impression.2
A combination of polyethers and VPS, vi-
nyl-polyether hybrids offer the advantages of
both materials. Hybrids demonstrate high tear
strength, multiple pours, and high dimensional
rial’s genuinely hydrophilic nature without added
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5 are used in making gingival retraction cords,
Fig 5. VPS full-arch final impression.
surfactants,7 and the silicone element increases
dimensional stability and elasticity. Also, like
some VPS materials, the hybrid material offers
a pleasant flavor, eliminating the bitter taste and
smells of polyethers.7 Vinyl-polyether hybrids
present an ideal combination of characteristics
for accurate impressions (Figure 5).
IMPRESSION TECHNIQUES
Figure 6 and Figure 7 present a step-by-step
guide for creating an impression with an ex-
ample putty material. Retraction techniques are
described below.
METHODS OF RETRACTION
It is important to recognize that retraction and
hemostasis are two different objectives. Although
it may be possible to accomplish both tasks with
a single treatment modality, this is not always the
case. Retraction is the temporary displacement
of the gingival tissue away from the surface of
the tooth to expose a subgingival margin and to
make room for the impression material to record
it. Retraction can also be used before preparing
the tooth. In that case, retraction serves as a visual
aid in establishing an ideal subgingival location
to place a preparation margin. This may help pre-
vent iatrogenic injury to the gingival crevicular
tissues and facilitates the preservation of peri-
odontal health and the biologic width. Four types
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of retraction techniques are in general use today,
depending on case requirements. The retraction
method chosen may be influenced by the clinician’s
familiarity with the technique, the location, quality,
and condition of the soft tissue, the clinician’s skill
level, and the complexity of the case.
Cord Techniques
The cord-packing technique is the most popu-
lar method of retraction and is done using a
twisted, knitted, woven, or braided cord. A
variety of natural and synthetic fiber types
including wool yarn, cotton, and silk. The cords
are commercially available in plain versions
and impregnated or pretreated with hemostatic
medicaments. When using a cord-packing tech-
nique, an appropriately sized cord is gently
placed into the gingival sulcus with the intent
of mechanically displacing the soft tissues from
the tooth and margin of the preparation. In gen-
eral, it is best to use the smallest cord possible
because larger cords can sometimes tear deli-
cate gingival tissue, increase hemorrhage, and
damage the sulcular epithelium. Fortunately,
newer impression materials can capture excel-
lent marginal detail within relatively small
gingival spaces. Typically, retraction cords are
placed after the tooth preparation is completed
and then removed immediately before the im-
pression tray is seated. Cords are packed with
many different types of hand instruments.
Single-cord technique. The single-cord tech-
nique helps to deflect and manage the soft tissues.
It works best with tooth preparations that terminate
supragingival or at the tissue height.17Although
occasionally uncomfortable for patients, the cord
displaces the tissues, exposing the marginal area
of the preparation, and remains in place until it is
time for the final impression.17 The end of the cord
packer must be thin enough to be placed in the
gingival sulcus without damaging the tissue and
causing any bleeding (Figure 8). The angulation
of the instrument will help in the orientation for
the placement.
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Figure 6 and Figure 7 present a step-by-step guide

J
for
JJ
�trile Gloves

creating an impression with an example putty material. �trile Gloves

�trile Gloves

�trile Gloves J

PVS set can be retarded through contamination by latex gloves and glove powder. If a dentist or assistant must touch the
surface of the impression material or is mixing a putty for the impression, nitrile gloves should be used. PVS appears to be the
only material that has this issue; polyethers are not affected in the same way.

�trile Gloves J

Scoop out even amounts of putty Mix putties; make sure there is an even Seat the tray, inserting into the mouth
catalyst
Scoop outand base.
even amounts of putty colorputties;
Mix withoutmake
swirls.
surePlace theis putty
there an even with
Seat the posterior
the tray, aspect
inserting first.
into the mouth
ven Seat the tray, inserting into the mouth evenly in themake
upper tray.
Scoop out
catalyst even
and base.amounts of putty colorputties;
Mix without swirls.
surePlace theis putty
there an even Seat
with the tray, inserting
posterior into
aspect the mouth
first.
y Scoop out
with the posterior even
aspect amounts of putty catalyst
first. Mix putties; make sure there is an even Seat the tray, inserting into the mouth
catalyst and base. evenly
color in the swirls.
color without
without upper tray.
swirls.Place
Placethe
theputty
putty with the posterior
with the posterioraspect
aspectfirst.
first.
and base.
evenly in the
evenly in theupper
uppertray.
tray.

es; make sure there is an even Seat the tray, inserting into the mouth
hout swirls. Place the putty with the posterior aspect first.
the upper tray.

Pinch putty
Liftaround the edge
the upper of thefirmly seating
lip while Pinch putty around the edge of the
tray extending the material into the
the tray filled with material;
firmlyhold tray
Pinchextending the material intothethe
vestibuleLift the upper lip while
area.
Lift
seating
the upper lip while firmly seating the Count to 20, then remove from the Pinch putty
putt around
around the the
edgeedge
of theoftray
pressure
the in thewith
premolar area.hold vestibule
tray area.
extending the material into the
traytray
Lift the filled
filledupper lip material;
while
with material; firmly
hold seatingin
pressure patient’s mouth. Pinch putty around the edge of the
extending the material into the vestibule
pressure
the in the
tray filled
the premolar premolar
with
area. area.hold
material; tray extending
vestibule
area. area. the material into the
pressure in the premolar area. vestibule area.

Pinch putty around the edge of the

tray extending the material into the
vestibule area.

emember the putty is very thick and must be firmly

Stand behind the patient and hold the tray to stabilize
set in 2 1/2 minutes.
Extrude flow
flowwash
washinto
intoclinical
clinicalcrown
crown Reseat tray
tray back
back into
intothe
themouth. Remember
mouth. Remember thethe
putty is very
putty thickthick
is very and and
mustmust
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area. ·Begin
area
Extrude beginininwash
flow the
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into clinical acrown
with a seated
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Reseat tray all
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Rememberbehind
behindtheputty
the patient
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patient
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andthe to stabilize
tray
must betofirmly
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Extrude flow,
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inwash
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Reseat until all The
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impression
contacts
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Stand
Remember 1/2
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putty is veryand hold
thick andthe traybetofirmly
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syringe.
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areasyringe.
continuous
· beginflow,
in thenotposterior
lifting thewithtipaof the impression.
seated The impression
until all contacts will Stand
are made. set in behind
2 1/2 minutes.
the patient and hold the tray to stabilize
6 the syringe.flow, not lifting the tip of
continuous the impression. The impression will set in 2 1/2 minutes.
the syringe.
Fig 6. Step-by-step guide for creating an impression, upper tray.
ay back into the mouth. Remember the putty is very thick and must be firmly
til all contacts are made. Stand behind the patient and hold the tray to stabilize
ession. The impression will set in 2 1/2 minutes.

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Scoop out even amounts of putty Place the putty evenly in the lower With pressure, seat the tray making
catalyst
Scoop outand base.
even Mix toofanputty
amounts even tray. the putty evenly in the lower
Place sure the
With impression
pressure, is alltray
seat the themaking
way
color without
catalyst and swirls.
base. Mix to an even tray. down.
sure theCount to 20, is
impression then
all remove
the way from
Scoop
Scoopoutout
even
evenamounts
amounts ofofputty
putty Place
Placethe
theputty
puttyevenly
evenly in
in the lower
the lower With
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pressure,
patient's seat the
thetray
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mouth. tray making
making
color without swirls. tray. down.
sure Count
the to 20, remove from
catalyst and
catalyst andbase.
base.Mix
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even tray. thesure theimpression
patient'simpression isisallallthe
mouth.then theway
way
color without
color withoutswirls.
swirls. down.
down.Count
Counttoto20,
20, then remove
remove from
from
thethepatient's
patient’smouth.
mouth.

Pinch putty around the edge of the Reline the impression. Extrude wash An even line Is added to the putty.
into clinical
Reline the crown areaExtrude
impression. making sure
Pinchextending
tray putty thethe
putty around
around material
the edgeofinto
edge ofthe the
the toReline
not liftthethe
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tip . area making wash AnAn
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even lineIs is
added
addedtotothe
theputty.
putty.
vestibule
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extending
extending thematerial into
material the
into the into clinical
into clinical
Reline crown makingsure
crown areaExtrude
the impression. sure
wash An even line Is added to the putty.
Pinch putty around the edge of the to not lift the tip .
vestibule area.
vestibule area. the material into the to not
into lift the
clinical tip. area making sure
crown
tray extending
vestibule area. to not lift the tip .

Reseat tray
tray back
backintointothe
themouth.
mouth.Remember
Remember thethe
putty is very
putty thick
is very and and
thick mustmust
be firmly
be firmly
seated tray
Reseat until all
allcontacts
untilback into theare
contacts made.
are Stand
made.
mouth. Stand
Remember behindthetheputty
behind patient
the and and
patient
is very hold the
andtray
thickhold the to
must stabilize
tray
betofirmly
stabilize
the
the impression.
impression.
seated until all The
Theimpression
impression
contacts are will
willset
made. setinin2behind
Stand 1/21 /2
2 minutes.
minutes.
the patient and hold the tray to stabilize
Reseat tray back into the mouth. Remember the putty is very thick and must be firmly
the impression.
seated until all The impression
contacts will Stand
are made. set in 2behind
1 /2 minutes.
the patient and hold the tray to stabilize
7
the impression. The impression will set in 2 1 /2 minutes.
Fig 7. Step-by-step guide for creating an impression, lower tray.

Double-cord technique. The double-cord to the final impression, patients may complain of
technique uses the single-cord technique but adds discomfort from this technique.
another retraction cord. With the single cord in
place, the second cord lies on top of the first, Gingival Retraction Paste Technique
further displacing the tissue.17 This creates suf- The gingival retraction paste technique aims to
ficient room for the impression material to fill the alleviate some of the pain and uncomfortable
sulcular area and flow around the preparation.18 nature of the retraction cord techniques. When
The double-cord technique creates a space to re- placed in the gingival sulcus, the paste displaces
cord intricate details of the marginal area.19 With the soft tissue, allowing greater exposure of the
the first cord still in place from the preparation preparation margin (Figure 9).17 Its chemical

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Successful impressions rely on careful evaluation

of each patient and planned restoration to identify
the ideal material and technique.

composition also provides a localized homeo-

stasis effect, and it can be used as the basis of
the double-cord technique, eliminating the need
for the single retraction cord.17

Soft-Tissue Laser
Soft tissue lasers create surgical retraction in
much the same way as electrosurgery. Lasers
are generally considered safer than electrosur-
gery because they use a high-intensity form
of light instead of electrical current to remove
8
the tissue. The laser light typically is delivered
into the surgical area by a thin glass fiber or
fiber-optic bundle (Figure 10). Lasers tend to
produce a shallower cellular necrotic burn in
the tissues adjacent to the epithelial layer, so
healing is faster and more predictable than with
electrosurgery. Although lasers can also cause
burn damage to the dentinal, cemental, and at-
tachment tissues, the risks are lower. Lasers are
also safe for patients with pacemakers or when
gaseous anesthetics are in use. Depending on
9 the type and wavelength of the laser, they may
be either useful or totally ineffective in assisting
with hemostasis. Lasers are most often recom-
mended in cases where margins are especially
deep or when there is excessive bleeding.

CONCLUSION
An ideal impression accurately records intraoral
details, maintains its dimensional stability, and is
poured for multiple casts. In the last 250 years, the
evolution of impression materials has enabled den-
tal professionals to obtain highly accurate, easy
10 to use, and stable dental impressions. Improved
Fig 8. Single-cord technique. Fig 9. Gingival retraction paste techniques offer a variety of sufficient means to
technique. Fig 10. Tissue laser. achieve great impressions without sacrificing

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patient comfort. Successful impressions rely on
careful evaluation of each patient and planned
restoration to identify the ideal material and tech-
nique for an effective and accurate impression.
REFERENCES
1. Joda T, Lenherr P, Dedem P, et al. Time efficiency, dif-
ficulty, and operator’s preference comparing digital and con-
ventional implant impressions: a randomized controlled trial.
Clin Oral Implants Res. 2017;28(10):1318-1323.
2. Terry DA, Leinfelder KF, Lee EA, James A. The impres-
sion: a blueprint to restorative success. Inside Dentistry.
2006;2(5):66-71.
3. Dickinson CM, Fiske J. A review of gagging problems in
dentistry: 2. Clinical assessment and management. SADJ.
2006;61(6):258-262, 266.
4. Pitel ML. Successful Impression Taking. First Time. Every
Time. Armonk, NY: Heraeus Kulzer, 2005: C-C14.
5. Berry T, Radz G. New technologies for easier and more
accurate impressions. Inside Dentistry. 2007;3(9):46-48.
6. Wassell RW, Barker D, Walls AWG. Crowns and other ex-
tra-coronal restorations: impression materials and technique.
Brit Dent J. 2002;192(12):679-690.
7. Burgess JO. Impression material basics. Inside Dentistry.
2005;1(1):30-33.
8. Vakay RT, Kois JC. Universal paradigms for predict-
able final impressions. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2005;
26(3):199-209.
9. Kois JC, Vakay RT. Relationship of the periodontium to
impression procedures. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2000;
21(8):684-690.
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10. Lee EA. Impression material selection in contemporary
fixed prosthodontics: technique, rationale, and indications.
Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26(11):780-789.
11. Johnson GH, Lepe X, Aw TC. The effect of surface mois-
ture on detail reproduction of elastomeric impressions. J
Prosthet Dent. 2003;90(4):354-364.
12. Petrie CS, Walker MP, O’mahony AM, Spencer P. Di-
mensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of two
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2003;90(4):365-372.
13. 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-
252.
14. Donovan TE, Chee WW. A review of contemporary im-
pression materials and techniques. Dent Clin N Am. 2004;
48(2):445-470.
15. Mandikos MN. Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials:
an update on clinical use. Aust Dent J. 1998;43(6):428-434.
16. Kurtzman, G. Creating great dental impressions. Inside
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MARCH 2020
CDE
Impression Taking
Quiz
2 CDE Credits
TO TAKE THE QUIZ, VISIT
CDEWORLD.COM/EBOOKS/CE/162

Mastering the Art of Dental Impressions

Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA, CDD

1. What percent of dentists prefer digital to conventional 6. Ideally, a completed impression:

impressions? A. remains unaltered for prolonged periods.
A. 24% B. 33% B. resists temperature changes during shipping.
C. 48% D. 93% C. retains capability for fabricating multiple accurate casts.
D. all of the above
2. Accurate physical impressions capture the:
A. exact dimensions of the preparation and the soft tissue. 7. Water-based hydrocolloids are made of up to how
B. margins of the preparation. much water?
C. prepared teeth themselves and surrounding dentition A. 20%
relationship. B. 40%
D. all of the above C. 60%
D. 80%
3. Hydrophilic materials demonstrate a:
A. low affinity for moisture and allow a low degree 8. Polyethers have a shelf life of up to:
of surface detail because of their strong surface-wetting A. 1 day.
capabilities. B. 7 days.
B. high affinity for moisture and allow a low degree C. 30 days.
of surface detail because of their strong surface-wetting D. 6 months.
capabilities.
C. low affinity for moisture and allow a high degree 9. The cord-packing technique is the most popular
of surface detail because of their strong surface-wetting method of retraction and is done using what type of
capabilities. cord?
D. high affinity for moisture and allow a high degree A. twisted
of surface detail because of their strong surface-wetting B. knitted or woven
capabilities. C. braided
D. all of the above
4. Ideally, the elasticity of the material would allow it to:
A. never stretch. 10. Chemical composition of gingival retraction paste
B. stretch and then return to its original shape. provides a:
C. be hydrophobic. A. localized homeostasis effect.
D. be hydrophylic. B. generalized homeostasis effect.
. C. reduction in localized salivary gland production.
5. Which impression material viscosity should be D. reduction in ginivo-crevicular fluid production.
selected for trays?
A. low B. mediun
C. high D. very high

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