IMPRESSION MATERIALS IN

COMPLETE DENTURES

Presented by:

Under the guidance of :

Dr. APARNA. N

Dr. MURUGESAN
Prof.

INTRODUCTION
Impression materials are used to register
or reproduce the form & relationship of the
teeth & oral tissues. They are used to make an
accurate replica of the hard & soft oral tissues.

HISTORY
Before middle of the 18th century- Blocks of ivory
& bone as IM.
During 18th century Bees Wax, used in making
impression
1848 Colburn & Blake Gutta percha as IM.
1844 Wescott, Dwinelle & Dunning Used Plaster
of Paris as IM.
1925 Alphous Poller 1st suggested use of agar for
dental impressions

1922 Everett Used Fluid wax of 3 consistencies

S.S. Wilding Patent to use algin for impression
Middle 1950s Elastomeric impression materials introduced.
1955 Pearsen New elastic impression material of polysulphide base.
1960s Polyethers introduced in Germany.

IMPRESSION DEFINITION (WINKLER) :Impression is defined as an imprint or negative

likeness of the teeth of the edentulous areas where the
teeth have been removed or of both, made in a plastic
material that becomes relatively hard or sets while in
contact with these tissues.

IMPRESSION DEFN (GPT)

A negative likeness or copy in reverse of the
surface of an object; or an imprint of the teeth & adjacent
for use in dentistry.

PRELIMINARY IMPRESSION (GPT)

A negative likeness made for the purpose of diagnosis,
treatment planning or the fabrication of tray.

FINAL IMPRESSION (GPT)

The impression that represents the completion of the
registration of the surface or object.

IMPRESSION MATERIAL (GPT)

Any substance or combination of substances used for
making an impression or negative reproduction.

PURPOSE
Constructing a model or a cast is an important
step in complete denture fabrication. Various types of
casts & models can be made from gypsum products
using on impression mold or negative likeness of a
dental structure therefore the case must be an accurate
representation of oral structures which requires that
the impression be accurate.

IDEAL REQUIREMENTS:1. Desirable flow properties.

2. Set or harden at or near mouth temperature.
3. Should not distort or tear.
4. Biocompatable
5. Dimensionally stable
6. Compatable with gypsum

7. Accuracy
8. Pleasant odour, taste & esthetic colour.
9. Adequate shelf life.
10.Readily disinfected
11.No release of gas during the setting of
impression or gypsum products.
12.Economic & easy to use

CLASSIFICATION
A. Based on setting mechanism.
B. Based on mechanical properties
C. Based on impression techniques

A. Based on setting mechanism.

1. Thermoplastic (Reversible)
(Ex.) Compound, Agar
2. Thermosetting (Irreversible)
(Ex.) ZOE Paste, Alginate, Elastomers

B. Based on mechanical properties

1. Elastic
(Ex.) Elastomers, Hydrocolloids
2. Inelastic
(Ex.) ZOE Paste, Impression Compound

C. Based on impression techniques

1. Mucostatic
(Ex.) ZOE Paste, Impression Plaster
2. Muco Compressive
(Ex.) Hydrocolloids, Impression Compound

MATERIALS USED: Plaster

Modelling Compound
ZOE Paste
Hydrocolloids
Elastomers

IMPRESSION PLASTER:
COMPOSITION
Calcium sulfate hemihydrate
Modifiers
Potassium sulfate
Pigments
Retarders
Gum tragacanth
Starch
Flavouring agents
Anti expansion solution

SETTING REACTION
The setting reaction of gypsum occurs by dissolution of
calcium sulfate hemihydrate, formation of a saturated solution
of calcium sulfate, subsequent aggregation of less soluble
calcium sulfate dihydrate and precipitation of the dihydrate
crystals.
ADVANTAGES
Good Detail Reproduction
Economical
Good Dimensional Stability
No distortion, it fractures before it can distort

DISADVANTAGES
Disagreeable to the patient
Rigidity, critical areas may be lost
Removal of bulky impressions
Requires usage of separating media

INDICATIONS
Wash impressions
Recording flabby tissues

IMPRESSION COMPOUND
COMPOSITION
Beeswax
Rosin
Copal resin
Carnauba wax
Plasticizers
Talc
Colouring agents

CLASSIFICATION
1. Impression Compound (Low Fusing)
2. Tray Compound (High Fusing)

LOW FUSING
In the form cakes, sticks and cones
Colour varies from red, green, white, brown,
Cakes used for preliminary impressions.
Sticks and cones for border molding.

HIGH FUSING
In the cake form, normally black in colour.
Used as tray for wash impressions with impression plaster or
zinc oxide eugenol.
MANIPULATION
The compound is softened by heating, either dry heat or in a
hot water bath; water bath is preferred for complete dentures.
The water bath temperature should be maintained between
60 & 65oC.
Sticks & Cones can be softened by dry heat, but should be
tempered before placing it in the patients mouth.,

ADVANTAGES
Cheap
Reusable
No irritation
Can be re-modified and re-softened till accuracy is
achieved.

DISADVANTAGES
Poor surface reproduction
Poor dimensional stability.
Difficult to remove from under cuts.
Unpleasant taste.
Tempering required.

INDICATIONS
Preliminary Impressions
Border Molding

ZINC OXIDE EUGENOL PASTE:

COMPOSITION
Base Paste

Zinc Oxide

87%

Fixed Veg / Mineral Oil

13%

Accelerator Paste : Oil of cloves / eugenol

12%

Gum / polymerised rosin

50%

Filler

20%

Lanolin

3%

Resinous balsam

10%

Accelerator & colour

5%

SETTING MECHANISM
Chelation Mechanism
Chelate compound : Zinc eugenolate
Final product : Unreacted zinc oxide particles with excess free
eugenol in matrix of crystals of zinc eugenolate.

DISADVANTAGES
Burning sensation
Messy
Sticks to skin & instruments
Rigid

ADVANTAGES
Good dimensional stability
Good detail reproduction
Impression can be modified by adding in deficient
areas
Easy to manipulate
Sufficiently long working time

INDICATIONS :
Secondary Impressions
Bite Registrations

IMPRESSION WAX
- Waxes were first used in dentistry in the early 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 natura

& synthetic waxes, gums, fats, fatty acids, oils,
natural & synthetic resins & pigments of various
types.
- Particular working characteristics of each of the
dental waxes are achieved by the blending of
appropriate natural & synthetic waxes & resins &
other additives.

ALGINATES:COMPOSITION
Potassium alginate

Soluble alginate

- 15%

Calcium sulfate

Reactor

- 16%

Zinc Oxide

Filler

4%

K titanium fluoride

Accelerator

3%

Diatomaceous earth

Filler

- 60%

Sodium phosphate

Retarder

2%

SETTING MECHANISM :
Sol-gel reaction, of soluble alginate with calcium
sulfate & formation of an insoluble alginate gel.
Calcium ions replace sodium or potassium ions of
adjacent molecules to produce a cross linked complex or
polymer network.

ADVANTAGES
Good tear strength
Biocompatible
Adequate shelf life
Economic & easy to use
DISADVANTAGES
Cannot record fine surface details
Dimensionally unstable
Incompatibility with gypsum
Distortion

AGAR
COMPOSITION
Agar

Brush heap structure

- 13-17%

Borate

Strength

- 0.2-0.5

Sulfate

Gypsum hardener

- 1-2%

Wax

Filler

- 0.5-1%

Thixotropic materials Thickener

- 0.3-0.5%

Water

- Balance

Reaction medium

FINAL IMPRESSION WITH AGAR

SETTING MECHANISM
Sol-gel reaction

ADVANTAGES
Moist field OK
Accurate and pleasant
Hydrophilic
Low cost
Long shelf-life

DISADVANTAGES
Requires special equipment
Thermal discomfort
Tears easily
Pour immediately
Difficult to see margins and details

INDICATIONS:
Final impressions
Duplicating procedures

ELASTOMERS
POLYSULFIDES
COMPOSITION
BASE PASTE

Polysulfide polymer

80.85%

Titanium dioxide, Zinc Sulfate 16.18 %

Copper carbonate, silica
ACCELERATOR PASTE

Lead dioxide

60.68 %

Dibutyl phthalate

30.35 %

Sulfur

3%

Other substances

2%

SETTING REACTION
The terminal & pendant mercaptan groups of the
adjacent molecules are oxidised by the accelerator to produce
chain extension & cross linking.

ADVANTAGES
Long Working Time
High tear resistance
Modest cost

DISADVANTAGES
Requires custom tray
Stretching leads to distortion
Stains clothing
Obnoxious odor
Pour within 1 hr.

CONDENSATION SILICONE
COMPOSITION
Base Paste

Polydimethyl Siloxane
Fillers

Accelerator Paste

Accelerator
Alkyl Silicate

SETTING REACTION
The formation of elastomer occus through the cross
linking of terminal groups of silicone polymers & the alkyl
silicates to form a 3 dimensional network.
Ethyl alcohol byproduct

ADVANTAGES
Putty for custom tray
Clean and Plesant
Good working time

DISADVANTAGES
High polymerization shrinkage
Volatile by-product
Low tear strength
Hydrophobic
Pour immediately

ADDITION SILICONE (Polyvinyl Siloxanes)

COMPOSITION
Base Paste

Polymethyl hydrogen siloxane

Hybrid silicone
Fillers

Catalyst Paste

Divinyl polydimenthyl siloxane

Platinum salt activator
Retarders
Fillers

SETTING REACTION
Does not produce low molecular weight by product.
Secondary reaction can occur with production of hydrogen gas
if OH groups are present.

ADVANTAGES
Putty for custom tray
Automix dispense
Clean and pleasant
Ideally elastic
Pour repeatedly
Stable: delay pour

DISADVANTAGES
Hydrophobic
Low tear strength
Putty displaces wash
Putty too stiff
Difficult to pour cast
High cost

POLYTHER
COMPOSITION
Base Plate

Ethylene oxide & Tetrahydrofuran

Filler
Plasticizer

Accelerator Paste :

Alkyl Aromatic Sulfonate

Fillers
Plasticizers

SETTING MECHANISM
The elastomer is formed by cationic polymerization by opening
of the reactive terminal rings, under the influence of cation initiators.

ADVANTAGES
Fast setting
Clean
Automix dispense
Least hydrophobic
Good stability
Delay pour
Good shelf life

DISADVANTAGES
Stiff, high modulus
Bitter taste
Needs to block undercuts
Absorb water
Leaches components
High cost

COMPARATIVE STUDY
Properties

Good

Poor

Flexibility

Elastomers

Inelastic

Hydrocolloids
Accuracy

Elastomers

Alginates

Agar

Impression Compound

ZOE

Poly Sulfides

Tear Strength

Agar

Dimensional Stability

Elastomers

Hydrocolloids

ZOE
Dimensional Changes

Condensation Silicones

REFERENCES
1.

Phillips Science of Dental Materials

2.

Restorative Dental Materials

Craig & Powers

3.

Dental Materials : Properties & Manipulation

Craig, Powers, Wataha

4.

Materials in Dentistry : Principles & Applications

Ferracane

5.

Dental Materials & Their Selection.

William J.O Brien

6.

Essentials of Complete Denture Prosthodontics

Sheldon Winkler

7.

The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms

Thank You