Accurate impressions are the foundation of successful dental restorations and prosthetics. However, with the available options of putty impression materials that ensure that the crowns, implants, bridges, and other dental fixtures fit the patient perfectly, selecting the right one can be a challenge. In this blog, we’ll explore the types of putty impression materials available in the market for dentists. These impressions play an important role in capturing important and precise details.
So, let’s better understand their types and highlight their pros and cons.
Types of Putty Impression Materials
Addition Silicone
It is a silicone polymer setting impression material sets by adding molecules together with the help of an addition reaction. It is good because it keeps its shape intact over time and captures the finest details of gums and teeth. It also doesn’t shrink with time, so it gives very accurate results. It is an ideal material if a dentist is making moulds for bridges, implants, and crowns.
Pros:
- High-Dimensional Stability: This putty impression material maintains its shape over time, making it ideal for precise dental treatments.
- Great Detail Reproduction: They capture accurate impressions, including the finest details, which results in high-quality dental restorations.
- Minimal Shrinkage: Once the material is set, there is little to no issue with shrinkage in the size of the impression.
- Good Elasticity: It is very elastic in nature, which makes it easy to remove it from the mouth without any breakage or tear.
- Biocompatibility: This material is very biocompatible, which means it will not cause allergic reactions in the patient.
Cons:
- Cost: it is more expensive as compared to other materials.
- Hydrophobic: This material isn’t very adaptable to moist environments unless it is specially formulated.
- Setting Time: The setting time can vary with temperature, which needs careful handling.
Polyether
It has polyther polymers, which are hydrophilic materials. It is yet another material that is highly accurate and excellent at capturing details. It also has better flow characteristics in moist conditions. Additionally, it has great tear resistance. Dentists use it for taking full arch impressions.
Pros:
Hydrophyllic: It is very adaptable to moist settings, which is why it takes accurate impressions even with saliva present.
High Accuracy: It has great detail reproduction and is suitable for complex impressions.
Tear Resistance: It is a tear resistant material that resists tears when it is removed from the undercuts.
Dimension Stability: It maintains the dimensions of the impressions very well with little to no shrinkage.
Cons:
Stiffness: The material can be quite rigid, making it difficult to remove from the mouth and hence uncomfortable for the patient.
Smell & Taste: The taste and smell of this material might be unpleasant for some patients.
Cost: This is yet another expensive material.
Condensation Silicone
This material is made of silicone polymers that make impressions through a condensation reaction, which releases a byproduct that is often alcohol. It has a great detail reproduction, but its dimension stability is less. It also experiences shrinkage often because of byproduct condensation. It is suitable for short-term impression needs where long-term stability isn’t a concern.
Pros
- Easy to Use: This material’s mixing and application process is very simple, making it easy to use.
- Great Detail Reproduction: It generates amazing and accurate details.
- Less Expensive: This material is more cost effective as compared to other putty impression materials.
- Elasticity: The elastic nature of the material makes it very easy to remove it from the mouth.
Cons:
- Dimensional Stability: It is prone to shrinkage during the setting process.
- Less Accuracy: If the mould material isn’t poured promptly, it can lose accuracy over time.
- Hydrophobic: If the environment is moist, the accuracy of the impressions can be altered.
Hybrid Putty Materials
This is a combination of various materials made to ensure that the beneficial properties of each material can be leveraged. It is tailored according to the properties of materials like stability, ease of use, and balance accuracy. It is a widely used material because of the high level of flexibility in its applications.
Pros
- Balanced Properties: It combines strength, elasticity, and hydrophilicity, which ensures high-quality detail reproduction.
- Dimension Stability: It has great dimensional stability due to low shrinkage.
Cons
- Cost: It is more expensive than traditional putty impression materials.
- Sensitivity of Technique: It requires a very precise technique of mixing and handling the product.
- Availability: The material isn’t available easily and can require extra training for handling.
Conclusion
Selecting the right putty impression material is essential for achieving accurate and reliable dental impressions. Addition Silicone offers exceptional stability and detail reproduction but comes at a higher cost and requires careful handling. Polyether excels in moist environments with high accuracy but can be uncomfortable due to its rigidity. Condensation Silicone is a cost-effective option with good detail reproduction, though it may suffer from dimensional instability. Hybrid Putty Materials provide a balanced approach, combining the strengths of various materials, but they also tend to be more expensive and require precise technique. Understanding these pros and cons enables dental professionals to make informed decisions, ensuring the best outcomes for their patients’ restorative treatments. For those looking to purchase high-quality putty impression materials, Dental Avenue offers a wide range of options to meet your specific needs. Visit their website to explore their selection and ensure your practice is equipped with the best materials for exceptional dental care.