Inelastic Impression Materials

Inelastic Impression
Materials
Tamanna Manoj Kumar
1st Year Prosthodontics Post Graduate
Contents
 Introduction
 Definitions
 Requirements of Impression Materials
 Classification of impression materials
 Impression Plaster
 Impression Compound
 Zinc Oxide Eugenol
 Impression Waxes
Introduction
 Dental appliances are constructed outside the patient’s mouth on
models of the hard and/or soft tissues.
 The accuracy of ‘fit’ and the functional efficiency of the appliance
depends upon how well the model replicates the natural oral
tissues.
 The accuracy of the model depends on the accuracy of the
impression in which it was cast.
Definitions
 Impression - “A negative likeness or copy in reverse of the surface of an
object ; an imprint of teeth and adjacent structures for use in dentistry.”
(GPT-9)
 Impression Material - Any substance or combination of substances used
for making a negative reproduction or impression.
(GPT-9)
 Impression Tray - 1. a receptacle into which suitable impression material
is placed to make a negative likeness;
2. a device that is used to carry, confine, and control impression
material while making an impression.
(GPT-9)
Ideal Requirements of Impression
Materials
 Rheological Properties
1. Be fluid enough to adapt to oral tissues, this requires a low viscosity or a

degree of pseudoplasticity & be viscous enough to be contained in the
tray that is seated in the mouth.
2. While in the mouth, they should transform into a rubbery or rigid solid
consistency in a reasonable amount of time (upto 7 min).
Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

 Mechanical Properties
1. Set impressions should not tear or distort when removed from the mouth
and should remain dimensionally stable until the cast is poured
& maintain its dimensional stability after removal of cast so that 2nd or 3rd
cast can be made from the same impression.
2. The fine detail recorded in an impression will only be transferred to the
gypsum cast if there is adequate ‘wetting’ of the impression surface by the
freshly mixed dental stone or plaster
 Biological & Other Chemical Properties
1. Bio compatible, Non irritant, Inert
2. The way in which the material interacts with saliva - hydrophobic and may
be repelled by moisture - this normally results in the formation of a ‘blow
hole’ in the impression. Acceptable taste and odor for patient
 Thermal Properties
1. The effects of thermal changes are minimized if the values of coefficient of
thermal expansion of the impression material and tray material are small.
2. Good thermal conductivity to harden (set) or soften the impression material.
 The material, associated processing equipment and processing time should
be cost effective.
 Esthetic Properties
1. Color contrast - to identify margins.
2. 2 paste systems - both different colors to check mixing
3. Good color stability
Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition & Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition
Classification
 Based on Elastic Properties
Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition

Based on viscosity at a constant shear rate and temperature (23°C)
Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Based on Setting Mechanism

Based on type of Impression recorded
Primary Secondary
Impression Impression
Impression Impression
Compound Plaster Irreversible/
Reversible
Irreversible Zinc Oxide Hydrocolloid
Hydrocolloid Eugenol
(Alginate) Paste Elastomeric
Impression
Mouth Material
Temperature
Waxes

Impression Plaster
 β-calcium sulfate hemihydrate which when mixed with water reacts to form
calcium sulphate dihydrate.
 Water/powder ratio of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 (according to Phillips’
Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition), 0.60 (according to Applied
Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition)
 Its fluidity makes it suitable for making impressions of soft tissues in the
uncompressed state - mucostatic impression material.
Composition
To make plaster a suitable impression material, the expansion and the setting times
should be controlled by incorporating compounds designed to mediate the handling
properties.
Incorporated Compound Function
Potassium sulfate anti-setting expansion agent - reduce the
setting expansion
It has the secondary effect of accelerating
the setting reaction.
Borax Retarder
Alizarin Red Pigment Distinction between the impression and the
model after casting of the model.
Manipulation
1. Freshly mixed plaster is too fluid to be used in a stock impression tray - normally
used in a special tray, constructed using a 1–1.5 mm spacer. The tray may be
constructed from acrylic resin or shellac.
2. Plaster impression - wash in a preliminary compound impression. The compound is

deliberately moved during setting to create space for the plaster wash. The
technique for insertion of the impression into the mouth involves ‘puddling’ the
impression into place.
With other materials the tray is simply seated home in a single movement. With
plaster the tray is gently moved from side to side and antero-posteriorly to best take
advantage of the handling characteristics of the material, particularly its fluidity.
Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition & Applied Dental Materials – John F
McCabe 9th Edition & Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition
3. A two-stage technique - special tray is made with appropriate spacing for zinc
oxide/eugenol paste where the mucosa is well supported and having a window
overlying the ‘flabby’ area.
An impression of the bulk of the ridge is recorded in zinc oxide/eugenol paste. Any
excess material is removed from the window and the impression re-seated in the
mouth. The shape of the flabby ridge at rest is then recorded by painting plaster into
its surface with a brush and keying this impression into the impression tray
 Disinfection
10-min soak in sodium hypochlorite solution.
Setting expansion
 Expansion of the mass can be detected during change from hemi hydrate from
to dihydrate form.
 During crystallization process there’s outgrowth of crystals from nuclei of
crystallization. There is enlargement of dihydrate crystals, the crystals grow from
nuclei not only intermeshing but also intercepting each other.
 The growth of one crystal is interrupted by another .This process is repeated by
thousands of crystals during growth; this outward thrust could produce an
expansion of entire mass, thus an apparent or observed expansion.
 This crystal impingement and movement results in production of micropores.
 The final structure immediately after setting is therefore composed of
interlocking crystals between which are micro pores and pores containing
excess water.
 The excess water is lost and total empty space is greatly increased
Advantages Disadvantages
Good detail reproduction. Requires separating medium for pouring
and removing casts. (Varnish)
Inexpensive. Dry sensation in patient’s mouth because it

absorbs moisture.
Easy to handle. The taste and the surface roughness can
Viscosity can be altered by minor induce nausea in some patients.
alterations of w/p ratio.
Setting time can be precisely controlled by
use of additives.
Decreased dimensional change on setting. It is exothermic
Non-toxic.
If stored airtight-increased shelf life.
Uses
1. Because of its rigidity- splinting transfer coping utilized to produce long-

span implant-supported prostheses.
2. Primary Impressions
3. Impressions of patients with excessively mobile soft tissues overlying the
residual alveolar bone (a ‘flabby’ ridge).
4. Impression material is very brittle after set and cannot undergo
compressive or tensile strain without fracturing. Therefore it is not suitable
for use in any undercut situations.
Researchgate.net - Squared-transfer-copings-splinted-with-impression-plaster
Impression Compound
Impression Compound
 Synonyms – Dental Compound/Model Compound/Modelling Compound
 ADA - 3
 Thermoplastic, Mucocompressive material supplied in the form of sheets and
sticks.
 There are two types of impression compounds available.
1. Type I - lower-fusing material for making impressions in the oral cavity;
supplied in either sheet or stick form.
2. Type II - higher-fusing material, also called tray compound, used for
forming trays to be used in the oral cavity.
Composition

Manipulation - Softening by heat is a prerequisite.
 Compound stick - softened over a flame
 Sheet form - immersed in warm water to ensure uniform softening of the material.
 When a direct flame is used, the compound should not be allowed to boil or ignite so
that the constituents are volatilized. Prolonged immersion or overheating in the water
bath is not indicated; the compound may become brittle and grainy if some of the low-
molecular-weight ingredients leach out of the material.
 The fusion temperature – 43.5 centigrade.
 Wet kneading - Also, if water has been incorporated as the result of wet kneading, the
material could have excessive flow at mouth temperature, producing distortion during
removal from the mouth.
 Once the impression tray is seated, it should be held gently (passively) in
position until the impression cools below the fusion temperature. Under no
circumstances should the impression be disturbed or removed until it reaches
oral temperature.
 The thermal conductivity of these materials is very low.
 Failure to attain a complete hardening of the material before withdrawing the
impression can result in a significant distortion of the impression by relaxation.
 Softening of the compound in a warm water bath is the method recommended
for separating the cast from a compound impression after the stone sets.

Glass transition temperature
 The non-crystalline solids do not have a definite melting temperature (because
of their structural arrangement) but rather they gradually soften as the
temperature is raised & gradually soften as they are cooled.
The temperature at which they form a rigid mass is called the glass transition
temperature.
 The glass transition temperature of the compound is 39 degrees or 107
Fahrenheit.
Material Properties
1. Dimensional Stability
Relaxation of the impression compound can occur in a comparatively short
time, especially with an increase in temperature. The result is warping or
distortion of the impression. The safest method of minimizing such
distortion is to allow thorough cooling of the impression before removal
from the mouth and to construct the cast or die as soon as possible after
the impression has been obtained—at least within the first hour.

2. The very high viscosity of impression compound is significant in two ways.
i. It limits the degree of fine detail which can be recorded in an impression.
ii. Secondly, it characterizes compound as a muco-compressive
impression material.
In certain circumstances, this is an advantage - when recording
impressions of some edentulous patients it is necessary to record the
full depth of the sulcus so that a denture with adequate retention can be
designed.
3. Compound is fairly rigid after setting & has poor elastic properties. A large
stress would be required to remove an impression from undercut areas and
the resultant impression would be grossly distorted.

4. Thermal Properties
i. Large value of coefficient of thermal expansion - undergo considerable shrinkage on
removal from the mouth. This can be partially overcome by re-softening the surface of
the impression with a flame and reseating the impression.
ii. Three factors combine to produce significant internal stresses within the
compound impression.
a. The high value of coefficient of thermal expansion.
b. The poor thermal conductivity.
c. The relatively large temperature drop from the softening temperature to room
temperature. The gradual relief of internal stresses may cause distortion of the
impression.

 Disinfection
2% alkaline glutaraldehyde solution, the impressions should be immersed in this
solution, rinsed, and poured immediately.
Dental impression compound can be disinfected by immersion in sodium hypochlorite
or iodophors.
Advantage Disadvantage
Reused multiple times. High viscosity – lesser details
recorded.
Inaccuracies can be corrected – Muco-compressive.

flaming.
The material has sufficient body to Poor dimensional stability - Distortion.
support itself especially in the
peripheral portions. It does not
collapse completely if unsupported by
the tray.
Compatible with gypsum products. Severe undercuts – difficult to use.
No separating medium required.
Easily electroplated to form accurate Possibility of overextension -
and abrasion-resistant dies. especially in the peripheries.
Non Toxic.
Uses
 Recording preliminary impressions of edentulous arches.
 Stick form (Green Stick) to modify/refine the peripheral extent of a special
tray – Border Moulding.
Modify the fit of stock trays
As a base in wash impression techniques
What can go wrong?
 Distortion.
 Compound is too brittle or grainy.

Zinc Oxide Eugenol
Zinc-Oxide Eugenol
 It is classified as a rigid, irreversible impression material.
 ADA - 16
 ZOE impression pastes are dispensed as two separate pastes.
One tube contains zinc oxide and vegetable or mineral oil; the other contains
eugenol and rosin.
 Types
1. Hard paste (type I) - The final set should occur within 10 min
2. Soft paste (type II). - The final set should occur within 15 min
When the final set occurs, the impression can be withdrawn from the mouth. The
actual time will be shorter when setting occurs in the mouth, since humidity and
temperature can accelerate the setting reaction.
Composition
Setting Reaction
 The setting reaction is ionic in nature and requires an ionic medium in which it can
proceed at any desired rate.
 First reaction is the hydrolysis of zinc oxide to its hydroxide.
 When the two pastes are mixed, the phenol of the eugenol acts as a weak acid
and undergoes an acid-base reaction with zinc component to form a salt, zinc
eugenolate.
2C10H12O2 + ZnO → Zn(C10H11O2)2 + H2O
 Two further coordinate bonds are formed by donation of pairs of electrons from
the methoxy-oxygen to zinc.
 Ortho-ethoxybenzoic acid (EBA) - substitute
 Bactericidal agents and other medicaments can be incorporated without
interfering with the reaction.
Manipulation
 Mixing of the two pastes is accomplished on an oil-impervious paper or glass
mixing slab.
 The proper proportion of the two pastes is generally obtained by squeezing
two strips of paste of the same length, one from each tube, onto the mixing
slab.
 A flexible stainless steel spatula is typically used for the mixing procedure.
 The two strips of contrasting colors are combined with the first stroke of the
spatula, and the mixing is continued for approximately 1 min, or as directed
by the manufacturer, until a uniform color is achieved.

Setting Time
 Initial setting time: 3-6 min

 Final setting time: Type I – 10 mins
Type II – 15 mins.
 The use of a cool spatula and mixing slab is also effective in prolonging the setting
time.
 Thick consistency or high viscosity - compress the tissues, thin, fluid material -
impression that captures a negative replica of the tissues in a relaxed condition with
little or no compression.
 The thickness of paste used is normally around 1 mm. This thin section of material
results in an insignificant dimensional change on setting and subsequent storage of
the impression.
The relatively low initial viscosity of the mixed paste, coupled with its pseudoplastic
nature, allows fine detail to be recorded in the impression.

Dimensional Stability
 Quite satisfactory.
 A negligible shrinkage (less than 0.1%) may occur during hardening.
 The impressions can be preserved indefinitely without the change in shape
that can result from relaxation or other causes of warping. This condition
can be satisfied only if the tray material is dimensionally stable.

Disinfection
 The recommended disinfectant solution for ZOE impression paste is 2%
alkaline glutaraldehyde solution. The impressions should be immersed in
this solution, rinsed, and poured immediately.

Advantage Disadvantage
Adheres well to tray. Burning/tingling sensation of eugenol
is a major disadvantage.
It is sufficiently fluid to record fine Persistent taste of eugenol added
details of tissues. disadvantage.
Does not undergo any dimensional As it adheres to tissues, lips should be
change during setting process. coated with petrolatum jelly.
Has adequate working time & setting
time.
Sufficient resistance.
It is compatible with gypsum products.
No separating medium required for
gypsum products.
It has a satisfactory shelf life.
It is Non-toxic.
Uses
 Record the secondary impressions of edentulous arches
 ZOE pastes are also used as bite registration pastes in the construction
of complete dentures and fixed or removable dental prostheses.
 Temporary reline material.
 After a gingivectomy - ZOE paste may be placed over the wound to aid
in the retention of a medicament and to promote healing
 Cement,Temporary filling and RCT

What could go wrong?
 Distortion
If the tray warps on standing, the impression will also become distorted. It is
important to select a stable tray material.
 Loss of detail
If there is loss of detail, the impression material may not be compatible with
the stone used to prepare the cast, and/or there may be adhesion between
the impression and the stone.
Impression Waxes
 Thermoplastic materials which flow readily at mouth temperature and are
relatively soft even at room temperature.
 They are applied with a brush in small quantities to ‘fill in’ areas of impressions in
which insufficient material has been used or in which an ‘air blow’ or crease has
caused a defect.
 These materials consist, typically, of a mixture of a low melting paraffin wax and
beeswax in a ratio of about 3 : 1.
This composition ensures a very high degree of flow at mouth temperature.

 Impression waxes are rarely used to record complete impressions but are
normally used to correct small imperfections in other impressions, particularly
those of the zinc oxide/eugenol type.
 Waxes can also be used to produce a mucocompressive impression of the
edentulous saddles for a lower, free-end saddle partial denture – Applegate
technique.

Korecta Wax/fluid–waxseries
 There are four different types provided in this special wax series, known
commercially as “Korecta-wax” and is distinctly colored.
 The physical properties vary to make each more capable of serving a particular
function.
The No. I Wax
 This wax is tissue-pink.
 It is very hard, with practically no flow at body temperature.
 Some tendency toward brittleness – hence used less
 Its principal use is to support an extension of the impression wax when there
is need to carry it beyond the border of the temporary base.
 The No. I Wax congeals very quickly
 It must be inserted very quickly and the framework must be correctly seated
(with pressure) while the wax is still pliable.
 Application of this wax for this use should be made with a large wax-spatula,
flowing the wax onto the base.
 Congeals quickly and shows only very slight amount of shrinkage as it congeals,
makes this wax useful for the final wax-up of porcelain or resin teeth after they
have been adjusted to the desired position.
 Occasionally when an extension partial denture has lost stability, it may be
desirable to reposition it for a short period of wear before making the rebase
impression. If the small area of the No. 1 wax is placed on the dry, roughened
surface of the base (in the retromolar area), it will act as a support to maintain the
correct position of the base and to prevent its rotation.
 The No. I Korecta-wax is never to be used for an impression of ridge surfaces.
The No. II Wax
 This material is yellow.
 It has slight flow at body temperature.
 This ability to adapt very slowly to the ridge structures makes it useful as a
temporary lining of a base.
 This wax may be placed as a lining when a posterior stop of the No. 1 wax has
been used, as suggested above, to prevent the rotation of an unstable denture.
 The No. II Korecta-wax may be placed by brushing it on a dry, roughened surface
of a base. It must be warmed in a water bath before it is placed in the mouth – in
fact, it may be necessary to repeat the warming two or three times before the
partial denture can be correctly positioned.
 This wax is an extremely useful material, but its need is limited.
The No. III Wax
 This is the red wax of this series.
 Its flow is greater than that of No. II wax but much less than that of
impression wax.
 The need for this wax is very limited also; it is used to correct minor areas
of discrepancy (such as that in the area of an inaccurately fitting base)
before placing the impression wax.
The No. IV Wax
 Orange-colored No. IV is the wax used for making a correctable

impression.
 It has a high rate of flow at body temperature.
Because of this characteristic, it must always be carried by the temporary
base when it is recording the supporting contour of the sub-basal structures
Iowa wax
 Developed for the use in recording the functional or supporting form of an
edentulous ridge.
 It may be used as either a secondary impression material or as an impression
material for relining the finished partial denture, to obtain support from the
underlying tissues.
 This is because they flow sufficiently in the mouth to avoid over displacement of
tissues
 Used to correct the borders of impressions made of more rigid materials, thereby
establishing optimum contact at the borders of the denture.
 Have the advantage of being correctable. (ALL WAXES)
Conclusion
 The impression stage is the first of many stages involved in the production of
dentures, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances etc. It is of great importance,
therefore, that inaccuracies are minimized at this stage, otherwise they will be
carried through and possibly compounded later on.
References
 Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition
 Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 11th Edition
 Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition
 Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition
 Advances in Dental Research - R.G. Craig Review of Dental Impression
Material

Inelastic Impression Materials

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Inelastic Impression Materials

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Inelastic Impression

1. Be fluid enough to adapt to oral tissues, this requires a low viscosity or a

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition

2. Plaster impression - wash in a preliminary compound impression. The compound is

Inexpensive. Dry sensation in patient’s mouth because it

1. Because of its rigidity- splinting transfer coping utilized to produce long-

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Inaccuracies can be corrected – Muco-compressive.

Dental Materials and their Selection – William J O’Brien 3rd Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

 Initial setting time: 3-6 min

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Phillips’ Science of Dental Materials 12th Edition

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

Applied Dental Materials – John F McCabe 9th Edition

 Orange-colored No. IV is the wax used for making a correctable

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