As technology evolves, Dr. Goodchild looks at key components to success when selecting impression materials. He then provides a case study using Aquasil Ultra+ Smart Wetting Impression Material from Dentsply Sirona.
Not capturing an accurate final impression is a full stop in the single-unit crown procedure. Recent trends, including the use of retraction pastes, increasingly faster-set impression materials, and use of lower cost impression materials, have created a confusing milieu that can complicate the final impression procedure. This article will discuss three key components of successful final impressions and present an illustrative case study.
When evaluating impression materials, three components are key to success. First, to capture accurate and precise details, impression materials used intraorally need to work in the presence of moisture (i.e., be hydrophilic) not just when cured, but more importantly when they are uncured. Second, impression materials must be strong at the time of removal from the mouth to prevent tearing. Impression material that is syringed into a sulcus results in thin sections of material. Unless adequate retraction is achieved in these areas, the thin extensions of impression material can be at greater risk of tearing when the impression is removed. Third, appropriate material selection is key to the success of the final impression, and no single impression material will satisfy the infinite number of clinical situations. A fast-set material may be ideal for single-unit cases, but larger prosthetic cases or removable denture impressions may require options for setting times and viscosities.
In my practice, I’ve recently switched to the new Aquasil Ultra+ Smart Wetting Impression Material (Dentsply Sirona; figure 1), as it was designed to help clinicians in these three key areas: accuracy, confidence, and material selection.