Clinical success rates for polyether crown impressions when mixed dynamically and statically.

The purpose of this study is to compare success rates of dual-viscosity impressions for two types of mixing techniques of the polyether elastomeric impression material. Additionally, influencing parameters on the success rates should be evaluated. The expectation was that there would be no difference between the success rates for the two mixing techniques. Two centres enrolled 290 subjects (727 teeth) into the trial. Patients were randomized for the two types of mixing techniques. One step, dual-viscosity impressions were made with either statically mixed Impregum Soft tray material (SAM) or dynamically mixed Impregum Penta H DuoSoft (DMM). Low viscosity Impregum Garant L DuoSoft was used for both groups. Gingival displacement involved the use of two braided cords. Full-arch trays were used exclusively. Both critical defects and operator errors were assessed for the first impression taken by trained dentists. The primary outcome was impression success. For comparison of the two mixing techniques, the odds ratio for success and the corresponding one-sided 95% confidence interval was calculated by a logistic regression model. To account for the dependence between several teeth within one patient, the method of general estimating equations was used. The overall impression success rate was 35.4%. Both mixing techniques showed equal success rates indicated by an OR of 1.0 and a lower limit of the one-sided 95% confidence interval of 0.71. Using this result to develop the corresponding interval for the difference, it could be shown that the success rate using SAM was at most 8.2% lower than that when using DMM with a probability of 95%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of other potential influencing factors showed position of finish line (p = 0.008, supra compared to mixed), blood coagulation disorder (p = 0.021) and the level of training of the clinician (student vs dentist, p=0.008) to have an independent influence on the success rate. Dynamic mechanical mixing and the new static mixing of polyether tray material showed nearly equal success rates in the study even though success rates were comparatively low (DMM, 35.3%; SAM, 35.4%).

Extrusion-mixing compared with hand-mixing of polyether impression materials?

The hypotheses tested were two-fold (a) whether altering the base:catalyst ratio influences working time, elastic recovery and strain in compression properties of a hand-mixed polyether impression material and (b) whether an extrusion-mixed polyether impression material would have a significant advantage over a hand-mixed polyether impression material mixed to the optimum base:catalyst ratio. The polyether was hand-mixed at the optimum (manufacturers recommended) base:catalyst ratios (7:1) and further groups were made by increasing or decreasing the catalyst length by 25%. Additionally specimens were also made from an extrusion-mixed polyether impression material and compared with the optimum hand-mixed base:catalyst ratio. A penetrometer assembly was used to measure the working time (n=5). Five cylindrical specimens for each hand-mixed and extrusion mixed group investigated were employed for elastic recovery and strain in compression testing. Hand-mixing polyether impression materials with 25% more catalyst than that recommended significantly decreased the working time while hand-mixing with 25% less catalyst than that recommended significantly increased the strain in compression. The extrusion-mixed polyether impression material provided similar working time, elastic recovery and strain in compression to the hand-mixed polyether mixed at the optimum base:catalyst ratio.

Determining the complex modulus of alginate irreversible hydrocolloid dental material.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to investigate the visco-elastic response of an alginate irreversible hydrocolloid dental impression material during setting. METHODS: A novel squeeze film Micro-Fourier Rheometer (MFR, GBC Scientific Equipment, Australia) was used to determine the complex modulus of an alginate irreversible hydrocolloid dental impression material (Algident, ISO 1563 Class A Type 1, Dentalfarm Australia Pty. Ltd.) during setting after mixing. Data was collected every 30s for 10 min in one study and every 10 min for a total of 60 min in another study. A high level of repeatability was observed. RESULTS: The results indicate that the MFR is capable of recording the complex shear modulus of alginate irreversible hydrocolloid for 60 min from the start of mixing and to simultaneously report the changing visco-elastic parameters at all frequencies between 1 Hz and 100 Hz. The storage modulus shows a dramatic increase to 370% of its starting value after 6 min and then reduces to 55% after 60 min. The loss modulus increases to a maximum of 175% of its starting value after 10 min and then reduces to 94% after 60 min. SIGNIFICANCE: The MFR enables the changes in the complex modulus through the complete setting process to be followed. It is anticipated this approach may provide a better method to compare the visco-elastic properties of impression materials and assist with identification of optimum types for different clinical requirements. The high stiffness of the instrument and the use of band-limited pseudo-random noise as the input signal are the main advantages of this technique over conventional rheometers for determining the changes in alginate visco-elasticity.

Thiol-ene functionalized siloxanes for use as elastomeric dental impression materials.

OBJECTIVES: Thiol- and allyl-functionalized siloxane oligomers are synthesized and evaluated for use as a radical-mediated, rapid set elastomeric dental impression material. Thiol-ene siloxane formulations are crosslinked using a redox-initiated polymerization scheme, and the mechanical properties of the thiol-ene network are manipulated through the incorporation of varying degrees of plasticizer and kaolin filler. Formulations with medium and light body consistencies are further evaluated for their ability to accurately replicate features on both the gross and microscopic levels. We hypothesize that thiol-ene functionalized siloxane systems will exhibit faster setting times and greater detail reproduction than commercially available polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) materials of comparable consistencies. METHODS: Thiol-ene functionalized siloxane mixtures formulated with varying levels of redox initiators, plasticizer, and kaolin filler are made and evaluated for their polymerization speed (FTIR), consistency (ISO4823.9.2), and surface energy (goniometer). Feature replication is evaluated quantitatively by SEM. The Tg, storage modulus, and creep behavior are determined by DMA. RESULTS: Increasing redox initiation rate increases the polymerization rate but at high levels also limits working time. Combining 0.86 wt% oxidizing agent with up to 5 wt% plasticizer gave a working time of 3 min and a setting time of 2 min. The selected medium and light body thiol-ene formulations also achieved greater qualitative detail reproduction than the commercial material and reproduced micrometer patterns with 98% accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE: Improving detail reproduction and setting speed is a primary focus of dental impression material design and synthesis. Radical-mediated polymerizations, particularly thiol-ene reactions, are recognized for their speed, reduced shrinkage, and 'click' nature.

Some aspects of the formulation of alginate dental impression materials--setting characteristics and mechanical properties.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of the various components of alginate dental impression materials. METHODS: Experimental materials were formulated and their physical properties characterized and compared to commercially available counterparts (Neocolloid, Palgat Plus and Blueprint Cremix). Properties examined were: dimensional stability and weight change in water and artificial saliva; setting behavior; Shore A hardness and tear energy. The role of magnesium oxide was also investigated. RESULTS: Weight changes in water and artificial saliva can be attributed to an initial thermodynamic potential owing to the ionic content of the alginate, causing water to diffuse into the material. Water is then driven back out following a reversal of this potential. Hardness results for experimental materials were within the range obtained from the commercial materials. The hardness value for an experimental formulation that did not contain magnesium oxide was lower than values from the other experimental materials that did. Tear energies for all three experimental materials were greater than those of the commercial products. There were statistically significant differences between the two experimental materials that contained magnesium oxide and one that did not. With regard to setting time, statistically significant differences were seen between commercial materials and two of the experimental materials. The experimental material that did not contain magnesium oxide had a considerably longer setting time than all of the other materials tested. SIGNIFICANCE: The key role of magnesium oxide in the setting reaction and the effect on hardness have been demonstrated and discussed.

Application times for the single-step/double-mix technique for impression materials in clinical practice.

Hydrophilicity of unset impression materials underlies changes occurring during working time. Hence, the clinical application time when impression materials contact oral tissues after mixing may play a critical role in successful impressions. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical time course of impression taking applying the single-step/double-mix technique. Application times of 86 impressions, comprising 265 prepared teeth and 46 implants, taken by 14 different clinicians at a university dental clinic were analyzed. The mean time from loading the impression tray until its final position in the patient's mouth (total application time) was 51.2 seconds; confidence intervals were 46.9 (lower limit) and 55.5 (upper limit). The number of registered teeth and implants did not influence the duration of impression taking. Related to wettability data, several polyvinyl siloxane impression materials show decreased hydrophilicity with respect to estimated application times. The authors suggest considering clinically relevant application times for impression taking in future in vitro studies on physicochemical characteristics of impression materials.

Proportioning effect on physical and chemical properties of polysulfide impression material.

This study investigated the effect of variation in proportioning polysulfide base and catalyst. Light, regular, and heavy-bodied pastes were mixed in linear equivalents of base-to-catalyst proportions of 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30. Compression set, strain in compression, and consistency tests conformed to the American Dental Association (ADA) Specification 19 guidelines. The amount of solventleachable components and differences in the cross-linked nature of the cured products were studies. Compression set and strain in compression tests met the ADA specification guidelines. Some consistency values fell outside of the ADA specification limits. The leachable content increased with increasing proportions of catalyst, but polymer cross-linking was remarkably similar for all bodied materials tested. Clinicians need not fear a significant property alteration in polysulfide impression material by the differences (within +/- 20% of the manufacturer's suggested lengths) in proportioning the component pastes with "eyeball" estimation as directed in the instructions.