ELASTOMERIC

IMPRESSION MATERIALS
 Introduction

Elastomers refer to a group of rubbery

polymers, which are either chemically or
physically cross-linked.
 They can be easily stretched and rapidly

recover their original dimensions when the

applied stress is released.
Classification

 Chemically, there are four kinds of

elastomeric impression materials:

1.polysulfide,
2. condensation-polymerizing silicone,
3.addition-polymerizing silicone, and
4.polyether
According to viscosity

Each type is further divided into four viscosity

classes,
 light-body
 medium-body or regular-body
 heavy body
 putty
 ADA classification
Type I
Type II
Type III
Supplied as
Automatic mixing device
 Addition silicone
( vinyl siloxane, poly vinyl siloxane)

 Based on cross-linking poly addition reaction

of vinyl terminated poly siloxane polymer
with methylhydrogen silicone cross-linking
agent in the presence of platinum catalyst.
Pt may release H2 from water or –OH groups
from the reaction mixture causing bubbles on
a gypsum model
Composition:

Base paste:
1. Vinyl terminated polysiloxane polymer
2. Filler (cristobalite, talc)
3.Surfactant (hydrophilic agent)
Catalyst:
1. Vinyl terminated polysiloxane polymer
2. Cross-linking agent
3. Filler, silicone oil (adjust viscosity of
duplicating materials)
4.Platinum salt
Advantages:

1. Accurate impressions, very low shrinkage

2. Very good surface detail
3. Highly elastic
4. Perfect elastic recovery
5. Dimensionally stable
6. Non-toxic and non-irritant
Disadvantages

1.Hydrophobic – necessary to add a surfactant

2. Setting inhibited by latex gloves or some
astringents (sulfur, heavy metals)
3. Hydrogen release – which results in pinpoint
voids in gypsum casts .This can be
compensated by adding a noble metal or by
waiting an hour before pouring the
impression.
Condensation silicone

Based on cross-linking polycondensation

reaction of hydroxy terminated polysiloxane
prepolymer with tetra alkoxy silanes in the
presence of stannous octoate.
 Alcohol releases from the reaction mixture
and contributes to contraction or shrinkage
of the impression
Composition:
Base paste:
• Hydroxyterminated polysiloxane polymer
• Filler (cristobalite, talc, starch)
Catalyst:
Liquid catalyst:
Ortho ethyl slicate and stannous octoate
Paste catalyst:
• Cross-linking agent, activator, inert oil
• filler
Advantages:

1. Accurate impressions when poured soon

2. Good elastic recovery
3. Lower price
Disadvantages

1. Hydrophobic
2. Shrinking of impression over time
3. Catalyst may cause allergic reaction
4. Difficult to dispense proper volumes of both
components
5. Usually hand-mix version only
Polyether impression materials

 Based on cross-linking of polyether chains

via cationic polymerization of aziridine rings
using an aromatic sulfonate ester as an
initiator
Composition:
Base paste:
• Polyether
• Filler, plasticizer
Catalyst paste:
• Sulphonic acid ester
• Inert oil
•filler
 Advantages

1. Naturally hydrophillic
2. Accurate and high dimensional stability
3. Good elastic recovery
4. Low setting contraction
5. Excellent surface detail reproduction
 Disadvantages
1. Rather stiff when set material (difficult to
remove from mouth)
2. Very expensive
3. May cause allergic reaction due to the
sulphonic acid ester
Polysulfide impression materials
(Thiokol rubbers, mercaptan rubbers)

Based on reaction between polymer with free

mercaptan (-SH) groups and oxidizing agent
PbO2 which lenghtens and cross-links chains
via reaction of terminal and pendant -SH
groups.
Composition:
Supplied in a two paste system

Base paste:
 polysulfide polymer, filler, plasticizer

Catalyst paste:
 lead dioxide, sulfur, inert oil

 Volume mixing ratio 1:1

 Advantages
 Long working time

 Low price
 Disadvantages
1. Should be poured within 0.5 – 1 hour
2. Lead oxide may cause toxic effects
3. Unpleasant mercaptane smell
4. Long setting time app. to 10 min
5. Poor elastic recovery – prone to plastic
deformation
General properties
 Excellent reproduction of surface details

 Dimensionalstability:
sources of dimensional change
1.polymerization shrinkage
2.loss of by-product
3.thermal contraction from oral
temperature to room temperature
4.imbibition
The dimensional change is greater in
magnitude for the polysulfide and
condensation silicone than for the poly ether
and addition silicone[because poly sulfide
and condensation silicone lose
polymerization by-products ]
Tear strength of these materials are
exellent,thus making it more resistant to
tearing even when the impression is in thin
sections
Polysulfide has highest tear strength.
 Shelf life:
storage under cool conditions increases
shelf life.The shelf life is about 2 years.The
silicones have a reduced shelf life.
They are generally hydrophobic

Hydrophobic material
(α>90o ) Hydrophilic material
unable to wet humid able to wet humid
Surfaces surfaces
Making an impression
1. Preparing a tray
2. Preparing the material
3. Making an impression
4. Removal of the impression
Preparing a tray

Impressions are usually made in special trays

to minimize the effects of polymerization
shrinkage .Perforated stock trays are used
only for making impression in putty.
Adhesion of impression material to trays also
essential.Thus an adhesive should be applied
onto the tray.
Preparation of Impression Materials
 

 When the materials are provided in two paste

tubes, dispense the same length of materials
onto a mixing pad or glass slab. The catalyst
paste is first collected on a stainless steel
spatula and then distributed all the base. The
mixture is then spread out over the mixing
pad.
 The mass is then scraped up with the spatula
blade and spread uniformly back and forth on
the mixing pad.
Making an impression
Single mix technique
custom tray with 2-3mm spacing is
used.regular body viscosity is used
Method :The paste is mixed and part of it is
loaded on to the tray and part in to a
syringe.The syringe material is then injected
on to the prepared area of impression.
Multiple mix technique:
Method of using the syringe and tray
materials.
custom tray with 2-4 mm spacing is
used.Light and heavy body viscosity are used
Method:
The two viscosities are mixed
simultaneously but on separate pads.The tray is
then filled with a uniform thickness of heavy
material,and syringe is loaded with lighter
material.
The filled tray is then inserted in the mouth
and seated over the syringe material that has
been extruded on hard or soft tissue.
Putty wash technique
 Developed for condensation silicone to
minimize the effect of polymerization
shrinkage.
 Two approaches can be used:a two stage

procedure and a single stage procedure

 Two stage putty wash technique or reline
technique:
The thick putty material is placed in a
stock tray and a preliminary impression is
made.It acts as custom made tray.A mix of
thin consistency wash material is placed in to
the putty impression and then the putty
wash combination and tray are seated in the
mouth to make the final impression.
 Single stage putty wash technique:
In this the wash material is syringed
in to place and then the unset putty is seated
over the light body material.
Removal of impression
The impression is dislodged from the mouth as
quickly as possible for the following reason
1.Elastic recovery is better
2.Tear resistence is higher
Thank you