DEPT.

OF ORTHODONTICS , GDC BANGALORE

PROF. & HEAD

DR.SHASHIKALA KUMARI
PRESENTED BY
DR.KANUPRIYA
 Contents
 Introduction
 History
 Definition and classifications
 Ideal requirements
 Impression materials and techniques
- Elastomeric materials
- Hydrocolloids
- Inelastic or rigid
 Latest advances
 Conclusions
 References
HISTORY
Before middle of the 18th century- Blocks of ivory & bone as IM.
During 18th century – Bees Wax, used in making impression.
1786 Phillip Ptaff – Sectional wax impression of half arch at a
time
1st plaster model.
1842 Montogomery – Discovered gutta percha.
1848 Colburn & Blake – Gutta percha as IM.
1844 Wescott, Dwinelle & Dunning – Used Plaster of Paris as IM.
1857 Chales stens of England - Discovered & introduced
modelling plastic.
1925 Alhous Poller – 1st suggested use of agar for dental
impressions
1937 Sears – 1st Recommended reversible hydrocolloid
Late 1920s– 1st True functional impression waxes developed.
1922 Everett – Used Fluid wax 3 consistencies
Early 1930’s A.W. Ward & E.B.Kelly – Gave
impetus to ZOE
1939 Trapozzano – Early techniques using ZOE paste.
S.S. Wilding– Patent to use algin for impression.
1936 Alginate- 1st American patent.
Middle 1950’s – Elastomeric impression
materials
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.”

“Any substance or combination of substances used for

making an impression or negetive reproduction is an

impression material”
1. By generic chemical name: Silicone material or ZOE
or commercial brand names.
2. By the manner in which they harden or set

Chemical / irreversible Temp / reversible

-Plaster of Paris Thermoplastic Non thermoplastic

-ZnOE -Impression -Agar
-Alginate compound
- Elastomers -Wax
 3. According to the ability of the set
material to be withdrawn over undercuts
Elastic Non-elastic or Rigid
impression materials impression materials

 Impression compound
Hydrocolloid Rubbers
 ZOE
 Polysulfide.
 Agar
 Poly
 Alginate
silicones.
 Polyether.
4. According to the viscosity or
tissue
displacement

Mucostatic Mucocompressive

- Impression plaster - Impression

- Agar Compound

- Alginate - Putty elastomers

Ideal Requirements of Dental
Impression Materials
1. Pleasant taste, odor and esthetic colour

2. Not contain any toxic or irritating ingredients

3. Have adequate shelf life for storage and distribution

4. Be economical

5. Be easy to use with the minimum equipments

6. Have adequate strength so that it will not break or tear

while removing from the mouth

7. Exhibit dimensional stability

8. Faithfully reproduce the tissues of mouth

9. Be able to be electroplated

10. Accuracy and faithful reproduction of details

11. Readily disinfected

12. No release of gas during setting of impression or cast and

die materials
 Elastomers
or
Rubber base Impression materials
 Soft and rubber-like & are known as
elastomers or synthetic rubbers.
 As per ADA Sp. No. 19 - non-aqueous elastomeric
dental impression materials.

 Liquid polymers which are converted into solid

rubber at room temperature
 General Properties:
Excellent reproduction of surface details
Generally hydrophobic (except poly ether)
Good elastic properties (repeated pouring is possible)
Dimensional inaccuracies are lower but exist due to
various reasons
Excellent tear strength.
Electroplatable
Extended shelf-life
Generally higher cost
Requires tray adhesive or mechanical interlocking
 :
TYPES
I. According to chemistry
1) Polysulfides
2) Polysilicones – condensation & addition
3) Polyether
II. According to Viscosity
1) Light body
2) Medium or regular body
3) Heavy body or tray consistency
4) Very heavy body or putty consistency
III. ADA Classification
Based on selected elastic properties &
dimentional changes
1) Type I
2) Type II
3) Type III
 Supplied as:
All elastomers - two paste systems (base & catalyst)
Putty consistency – supplied in jars

Uses:
1. Impression material for all applications including
- Fixed partial dentures
- Dentures and edentulous impressions
2. Border moulding of special trays (poly ether)
3. Bite registration
4. As duplicating material for refractory casts
POLY SULFIDES:

Ist elastomer to be introduced

mercaptan/Thiokol
Base Paste:
Liquid Polysulfide Polymer - 80 to 85 %
Inert fillers
(Titanium dioxide, zinc sulfate - 16 to 18 %
copper carbonate or silica)

Reactor Paste
Lead dioxide - 60 to 68 %
Dibutyl phthalate - 30 to 35 %
Sulfur - 3%
Other substances like Magnesium
stearate (retarder) & deodorants - 2%
Tray adhesive:

Butyl rubber or styrene/acrylonitrile dissolved in a volatile

solvent such as chloroform or a ketone.

Available as 2 system - Base and accelerator

3 viscosities - light, medium and heavy bodies.

 Chemistry and Setting
Reactions
LEAD OXIDE reacts with the poly sulfide polymer

-Chain lengthening by oxidation of the terminal -SH groups

-Cross-linking by oxidation of the pendant -SH groups

Exothermic reaction - 3 to 40 C rise in temp.

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

 Advantages
1. It can be electroplated (with silver than copper)

2. Excellent reproduction of surface detail

3. The shelf life is good (2 years)

Disadvantages
1. Unpleasant odor and colour - stains linen & messy to work with
2. Extremely viscous and sticky - mixing is difficult
3. Mixing time is 45 seconds
4. Long setting time of 12.5 (at 370C) - Patient discomfort
5. Dimensional stability:
- Curing shrinkage is high 0.45%
 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

Base Accelerators

Polydimethyl siloxane Orthoethyl silicate – cross

(hydroxy-terminated) linking agent
Colloidal silica Stannous octoate - catalyst
or microsized
metal oxide
(filler) 35-75%
 SETTING
REACTION:

Dimethyl + orthoethyl Silicone + ethyl

siloxane silicate rubber alcohol

 Ethyl alcohol - byproduct - evaporate - shrinkage &

dimensional
instability

 Tray adhesive – Polydimethyl siloxane & Ethyl silicate

 Advantages

1. Adequate working and setting time

2. Adequate tear strength

3. Less distortion on removal

4. Better properties afte removal

5. Pleasant odour and no staining

 Disadvantages
1. Adequate accuracy only if poured immeditely

2. Poor dimensional stability

3. Significant distortion

4. Inadequate shelf life

5. Technique sensitive when putty wash method used

 Addition silicones

Also called as polyvinyl siloxanes

Better properties than condensation silicones.
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

Si-H + CH2=CH-Si Si-CH2-CH2-Si

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 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
•Clair D. Reitz and Nereyda P. Clark 1988 on the setting of vinyl
polysiloxanes and condensation silicone putties when mixed with
gloved hands.

•Winston W. L. Chee, T. E. Donovan and R. L. Kahn in 1991on

indirect inhibition of polymerization of polyvinyl siloxane
impression material
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
• Can be electroplated with silver and copper
• Good shelf life of 1-2 yrs
• Good tear strength (3000gm / cm2)
 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

Properties:
1. Pleasant odor and taste
2. Mixing time is 30 secs, setting time of 8 mins
3. Dimensional stability is very good.
Curing shrinkage is low (0.24%)
The permanent deformation is also low (1-2%).
4. Very stiff (flexibility of 3%), needs extra space,
around 4 mm is given.
4. Hydrophilic (moisture control not critical)
5. Electroplatable with silver & copper
6. Shelf life extends upto 2 years
AUTOMATIC DISPENSING & MIXING DEVICES

ADVANTAGES:
- More uniform mix
- Less air bubbles
- Reduced working time
Property Polysulf Condesn. Addn. Polyeth
Working time (min) 4-7 2.5-4 2-4 3

Setting time (min) 7-10 6-8 4-6.5 6

Distortion (1= > Dist)

Tear strength (N/m) 2500-7000 2300-2600 1500-4300 1800-4800

By product H2 O Ethanol - -

Custom tray YES NO NO NO

Unpleasant odour YES NO NO NO

Multiple casts NO NO YES YES

% contraction (24hr) 0.40 – 0.45 0.38 – 0.60 0.14 – 0.17 0.19 – 0.24

Stiffness (1= > stiff) 3 2 2 1

Materials used for maxillofacial
reconstruction
 •RTV-Silicone Elastomers

-Room temperature-vulcanizing silicone

elastomers
-Internal coloring difficult-silica fillers for
tensile strength- to mask yellowin
-During mixing air entrapment persists
-Tear resistance inadequate- once started at
an edge void or nick-propagates
•HTV-Silicone Elastomers

•Heat-vulcanizing silicone elastomers

•Designed for higher tear resistance
•Requires intense milling
• Cured at elevated temperatures in heat
transferring metal molds
•Improved biocompatibility with human excised
donor tissues, biologically and mechanically
RECENT ADVANCES
IN
ELASTOMERS
Hydrophilic Addition Polysilicon

97o

•360
Visible light cured impression material:

• Polyether urethane dimethacrylate.

• Introduced in early 1988 by GENESIS and L D

CAULK.

• Two viscosities: Light and heavy.

Composition:

- Polyether urethane dimethacrylate

- Photo initiators
- Photo accelerators
- Silicon dioxide (Filler)

Chemistry:
Similar to light cured composites
Properties:

• Long working time and short setting time.

• Blue light is used for curing with transparent
impression trays.
• Tear strength – 6000 to 7500 gm/cm2
(Highest among elastomers)
• Other properties are similar to addition silicone.
Manipulation:
• Both light body and heavy body are cured with
visible light having larger diameter probe.
• Curing time approx 3 min.

Adv: - Controlled working time

- Excellent properties

Disadv: - Special transparent trays

- Difficult to cure in remote area
Hydrocolloids
 Kola - ‘glu ‘oid’- like

 GLUE LIKE CHARACTER

 suspension COLLOIDS solution

 classified as fourth form of mater

 Characterized by their unique dispersion of particles held

together by primary or secondary forces.

 The size of the particles larger than solutions & ranges

• The colloidal materials that are dissolved in water are termed

hydrocolloids

• If the change of sol to gel is thermal and reversible –

reversible hydrocolloid (agar)

• If the change of sol to gel is chemical and irreversible -

irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate)

• An important characteristic of gels is the processes of syneresis

and imbibition.
• These both alter the original dimensions of the gel
 Reversible Hydrocolloid – AGAR
 Introduced by “Alphous poller of Vienna” in 1925

 Adopted commercially as “Dentacol” in 1928

 It was the first successful elastic impression material

 Agar is an organic hydrophilic colloid extracted from

“Seaweed”

 It is a sulphuric ester of a linear polymer of galactose

 Though highly accurate, it has been largely replaced by

alginates and elastomers due to its cumbersome

 Composition:
Component Function Composition
(%)
Agar Brush Heap structure 13 – 17

Borate Strength 0.2 – 0.5

Pot. Sulfate Gypsum hardener 1.0 – 2.0

Wax, ZO, Silica, DM, Filler 0.5 – 1.0

etc.
Thixotropic materials Thickener 0.3 – 0.5

Water Reaction medium Balance 84%

Alkylbenzoates Perservative 0.1

The Material is supplied as:
 Gel in collapsible tubes (for impressions)
 A number of cylinders in a glass jar (syringe material)
 In bulk containers (for duplication)

Manipulation:
Agar hydrocolloid requires special equipments
 Hydro colloid conditioner
 Water cooled rim lock trays
 Conditioner Consists of:
a. Boiling or liquefaction section: 10 mins in boiling water (1000 C).
b. Storage section: 65-680 C is ideal it can be stored till needed
c. Tempering section: 460 C for about 2mins
WATER COOLED RIM LOCK TRAYS
FINAL IMPRESSION WITH AGAR
 Advantages:
• Hydrophilic Impression material
• Good elastic properties, Good recovery from distortion
• Can be re-used as a duplicating material
• Long working time and low material cost
• No mixing technique
• High accuracy and fine detail recording

Disadvantages:
• Extensive and expensive equipment required
• It can not be electroplated
• Impossible to sterilize for reuse
• Low dimensional stability & tear resistance
 Uses of Agar:

1. Widely used at present for cast duplication

2. For full mouth impression without deep undercuts
3. As tissue conditioner
4. Was used for crown & bridge before the advent of
elastomers
 Laminate technique or agar-alginate
combination technique
 Injecting syringe agar material onto the prepared
tooth
 Placing an impression tray with alginate over the
injected syringe agar

Wet field technique

 Area to be recorded is flooded with warm water
 Syringe agar material – quickly & liberally over prepared
tooth
 Immediately, tray agar placed over the syringe agar
 Hydraulic pressure
Irreversible Hydrocolloid
or
Alginate
‘Algin’ - a peculiar mucous extract yielded by algae (a brown
seaweed)
• In England, 40 yrs later, “S. William Wilding” received the
patent for alginate as impression material.
• Alginate was developed as a substitute for agar when it
became scarce due to II world war.
• Currently, alginate is more popular than agar because,

 It is easy to manipulate
 It is comfortable for the Patient
 It is relatively inexpensive and does not require
elaborate equipment
 COMPOSITION OF ALGINATE

Component Function Wt%

Potassium alginate Soluble alginate 15
Calcium sulfate Reactor 16
Zinc oxide Filler particles 4
Potassium Titanium fluoride Accelerator 3
Diatomaceous earth Filler Particles 60
Sodium phosphate Retarder 2
 Selection of tray:

The beginning of good impression starts with the

selection of the correct stock tray.
Tray is a device that is used to carry, confine and
control impression material while making an
impression.
 The space available in the mouth for upper
impression is studied carefully by observation of the
width and height of the vestibular spaces with mouth
partly open.
And in the lower the general form and size of basal
seat is studied.
Modifications:
1. When the distance between flanges of the tray
and the ridge is less or more than 3-4mm

2. When the distance between the tray border and

sulcus less or more than 2mm

3. Palatal impression with alginate and wax

4. Void placed in distalmost part of maxillary

impression
SETTING REACTION:
Alginic acid is a linear polymer of Anhydro- B-D
mannuronic acid of high molecular weight

Two main reactions occurs during setting:

i) 2 Na3 PO4 + 3 Ca SO4 Ca3 (PO4)2 + 3 Na2 SO4
(Sodium phosphate) (Calcium sulphate)
(Retarder) (Reactor)

ii) Sodium Alginate + Ca SO4 + H2O Ca Alginate +

Na2SO4

(Powder) (Reactor) (Gel)

Manipulation: - 15 gm. Powder : 40 ml of water
- figure-of 8 motion, swipe & strop

Types Mixing time Working time Setting time

I- Fast set 45 sec 1.25 mins 1-2 mins

II- Normal 60 sec 2 mins 2 - 4.5 mins

set

Control of gelation time:

1. By manufacturers : by adding retarders
2. By Dentist - Cold water : Longer is the geln. time
- Warm water : Shorter is the geln. time
Advantages:
1. Easy to mix and manipulate.
2. Minimum requirement of equipment.
3. Accuracy (if properly handled)
4. Low cost
5. Comfortable to the patient
6. Hygeinic (as fresh material is used for each
impression)

Disadvantages:
1. Cannot be electroplated.
2. Distortion occurs easily
3. Poor dimensional stability (poured within 15 min.)
4. Poor tear strength
 Latest advances - Modified Alginates:

1. In the form of a sol, containing the water. A reactor of

plaster of Paris is supplied separately.

2. 2 paste system, one containing the alginate sol, the

second the calcium reactor. These materials are said to

contain silicone and have superior tear resistance.

3. Chromatic alginates: contain acid/base indicator that

change colour at different critical points, indicating mixing

time, loading into mouths & setting.

4. Dustless alginates

To avoid dust inhalation - coating the material with a

glycol.

5. Siliconised Alginates:

Alginates modified by the incorporation of silicone

polymers which improve the physical properties.

 Uses:
1. Orthodontics and Complete denture

prosthesis

2. Mouth protectors

3. Study models and working casts

4. Duplicating models
COMPARISON BETWEEN
HYDROCOLLOIDS
Properties Agar Alginate
Flexibility 20 % 14 %
Elasticity & elastic 98.8 % 97.3 %
recovery
Reprodn. of details 25 um < agar

Tear strength 715 gm/cm2 350-700 gm/cm2

Comp. strength 8000 gm/cm2 500-8000 gm/cm2
Diml. Stability Better Poor
Reuse Possible Not possible
Manipulation Conditioner & rim Normal trays
lock trays
 IMPRESSION WAX

- Waxes were first used in dentistry in the

18th century for the
purpose of recording impressions of
edentulous mouths.
TYPES

- Dental waxes are classified as:

1) Pattern wax
2) Processing wax
3) Impression wax
- Impression wax is of 2 types:
1) Corrective wax
2) Bite registration wax
COMPOSITION

- Waxes used in dentistry may be composed of natural

and synthetic waxes, gums, fats, fatty acids, oils,
pigments of various types.
- Particular working characteristics of each dental wax
achieved by the blending of appropriate natural &
synythetic waxes & resins & other additives.
Bite Registration Wax
- Bite registration wax is used to articulate
models of opposing quadrants.
- Bite registrations frequently are made from 28 gauge wax
sheets or from hard baseplate wax, bite waxes are
formulated from beeswax or hydrocarbon waxes such
as paraffin or ceresin.
- Certain bite waxes contain aluminium or copper particles.
- The flow of several bite waxes at37ºC ranges from 2.5% to
22%indicating that these waxes are susceptible to distortion

on removal from mouth

USES

1) For corrective impressions of free- end saddle areas of

partial dentures
2) In edentulous mouths.
3) Used in small quantities to fill in areas of impressions in
areas of insufficient material
4) for bite registration
mixture of border corrective & denture body corrective
waxes is used in patients with heavy masticatory
musculature
INELASTIC IMPRESSION
MATERIALS

- Limited use in orthodontics

 Impression compound:

 Rigid reversible impression material sets

by temp change
 Primary impression in edentulous mouth.
 Was formerly used in fabrication of chin
cups & head straps
Types: ADA specification No. 3

• TYPE – I IMPRESSION COMPOUND

- Primary impression
- individual tooth impression

• TYPE - II TRAY COMPOUND

- Border moulding
- Check undercuts in inlay
- Make a special tray
 COMPOSITION:

Ingredients Parts

1) Rosin 30
2) Copal resin 30
3) Carnauba wax 10
4) Stearic acid 5
5) Talc 75
6) Coloring agent Appropriate
CLINICAL PRESENTATION

 Supplied in rect or
circular sheets 5-
7.5cm length &0.65cm
in thickness
 For copper band imp
of inlays and crowns,
material is supplied n
stick form
Advantages
1) simple & easy to manipulate
2) economic
3)can be reused
4) compatible with gypsum

Disadvantages
1) limited use in dentulous patients
2) poor surface details
3) poor dimensional stability
4) compresses tissues
Uses:

1) primary imp in complete denture

2) indivisual tooth imp for die preparations
3) border moulding during secondary imp
4) checking undercuts in inlay prepaations
5) special trays
6)chin imp-used as special tray
 ZINC OXIDE EUGENOL
PASTE

In orthodontics , for luting brackets

Composition:

•Base - Zinc oxide 87 %

- Mineral oil 13 %

•Catalyst - Eugenol 12 %
- Poly rosin 50 %
- Filler (Silica) 20 %
- Lanolin 3%
- Resinous balsam 10 %
- CaCl2 5%
Setting reaction: Acid-base reaction

ZnO + H2O → Zn (OH)2

Zn (OH)2 + 2HE → ZnE2 + 2H2O

(Base) (Acid) (Zinc eugenolate)

Working time - 1 min

Setting time - 10-15 mins

Non-Eugenol pastes:
Zinc oxide reacts with carbolic acid
Non eugenol pastes

- Occasionally, eugenol may promote an allergic response in some

patients . There may be a stinging or burning sensation when
eugenol contacts soft tissues.

- Alternative non-eugenol materials are based upon the reaction

between zinc oxide and a carboxylic acid such as
orthoethoxybenzoic acid, to form an insoluble soap (saponification
reaction). The carboxylic acid may be present as a liquid or as a
powder dispersed in a medium such as ethyl alcohol.
ZnO + 2RCOOH (RCOO) 2 Zn + H20

- The reaction is not greatly affected by temperature or humidity.

RECOMMENDED DISINFECTANTS

MATERIAL DISINFECTANTS

Polysulfide Glutaraldehyde, Cl compounds,

Iodophors & Phenolics

Silicones ------ do --------

Polyether Cl compounds or Iodophors

Alginate ------ do --------

ZOE Glutaraldehyde or Iodophors

Impression compound Cl compounds or Iodophors

 COMMON FAILURES

•Rough or uneven surface on

impression
1.Incomplete polymerization- premature
removal, improper ratio or mixing, +ce of oil or
other organic material
2.Too rapid polymerization- high humidity or
temperature
3.Excessively high accelerator/base ratio with
condensation silicones
 •Bubbles
1.Too rapid polymerization,
preventing flow
2.Air incorporated during mixing

•Irregularly shaped
voids
1.Moisture or debris on the
surface of tooth

•Rough or chalky stone

cast
1.Inadequate cleaning of
impression
2.Excess water left on the
surface of impression
3.Excess wetting agent
4.Premature removal of cast
5.Failure to pour delay of
addition silicone at least 20min
•Distortion

1.Lack of adhesion of rubber to the tray

2.Development of elastic properties in the
material before the tray is seated
3.Excessive bulk of material
4.Continued pressure against impression
material that has developed elastic properties
5.Movement of tray during polymerization
6.Premature removal from mouth
7.Improper removal from mouth
8.Delayed pouring of the polysulfide or
condensation silicone impression
“Good Impressions Last Forever”
dr.parmeshwar
dr.prashant
dr.roshan
dr.jnanesh
dr.sowmya
dr.bhagyalakshmi
dr.rashmi
dr.richa
dr.avinash
dr.gautam
dr.kamalamma
dr.kanupriya