Lecture: 7 Assist. Prof. Dr.
Manhal Abdul-Rahman Majeed
Final Impression in Fixed Prosthodontics
Conventional impression
An impression is a negative likeness or an imprint of the form and the relationship of
the teeth and the surrounding oral tissues. In crown and bridge.
Requirements for a good impression in crown and bridge prosthodontics:
11)) It should be an exact duplication of the prepared tooth, including all of the
preparation, and enough uncut tooth surface beyond the preparation to allow the
dentist and technician to be certain of the location and configuration of the finish
line.
22)) Other teeth and tissue adjacent to the prepared tooth must be accurately
reproduced to permit accurate articulation of the cast and to allow proper
contouring of the restoration.
33)) The impression of the preparation must be bubble free, which might result in
inaccuracy especially in the area of the finish line.
Properties of material used for final impression in crowns and bridges:
11)) It must be elastic after placement in the mouth because it must be withdrawn from
the undercut regions that exist on the external tooth surface adjacent to the
prepared tooth. A satisfactory impression must register some of these undercut
surfaces without distortion or fracture.
22)) The hydrophilicity of impression material, hydrophilic materials have a high
affinity for moisture (low contact angle), provide good surface wetting, and allow
for a high degree of surface detail. Hydrophobic impression materials have a low
affinity for moisture (high contact angle), provide poor surface wetting, a lower
degree of surface detail, and require strict moisture control.
33)) It must have adequate tear resistance (adequate strength to resist breaking or
tearing on removal from the mouth).
44)) It must have adequate dimensional stability, accuracy and reproduction of the
details so that it is exact negative imprint of the prepared and unprepared teeth.
The dimensional stability of the material, which is critical for accurate replication
of the intraoral structures. Dimensional changes may occur due to (1) contraction
1
from polymerization, (2) liberation of a by-product or accelerator component, (3)
water absorption from a wet or humid environment, (4) a change in temperature.
55)) It must have handling and setting properties that meet the clinical requirements.
66)) It must be free of toxic or irritating components.
Classification of impression materials.
Non-aqueous elastomeric impression materials (Elastomers):
The elastomeric impression materials, set by chemical reaction, and usually supplied in
different consistencies: putty, heavy, medium and light bodies. In crown and bridge
work, we use the light consistency as syringe material to inject over the prepared teeth ,
remaining dental arch and try material ( putty or heavy consistency) , while, putty and
heavy consistency used as tray material to seat over the light consistency during final
impression procedure . Whatever the consistency of the elastic material, it is supplied as
two containers or tubes: base and catalyst.
1) Polysulfide impression material:
Ø The material is supplied as a two-paste system (base and accelerator or catalyst).
Ø Available in a range of viscosities: light body, medium or regular body, heavy
body.
Advantages:
11)) Accurate if poured without delay (maximum storage time is 48 hours)
22)) Long working time (multiple preparations cases)
33)) Excellent tear resistance (high tensile strain before tearing)
2
Disadvantages:
1) Messy with objectionable odor
2) Long setting time
3) Shrinkage towards the tray (wider and shorter preparation)
ü Evaporation of water as a setting by-product
ü Continuous setting reaction after apparent setting time
ü Unrecovered strain
Recommendations:
o Use a special tray with a 4 mm spacer
o Remove impression in a single sift pull.
2) Polyether impression material:
Polyether impression material has excellent dimensional stability (upon polymerization
mechanism unlike other elastomers. No volatile by-product), was initially available in single
“regular” viscosity (Impregum) A recently heavy light bodied system has been
introduced
Advantages.
1) Fast setting time of less than 5 minutes
2) Has no setting reaction byproduct
3) Dimensionally stable
4) Relatively hydrophilic
5) Adequate tear resistance and very good elastic properties
Disadvantages:
1) If stored in high humidity conditions, they tend to swell due to water absorption.
2) Relatively rigid material when set, thus considerable force is required to remove the
impression from the mouth and stone cast
33)) Silicon impression material:
A
A.. Condensation Silicon impression material:
Condensation silicone has been developed to overcome some of the disadvantages of
polysulfide. It is odorless and can be pigmented to virtually any shade. An additional
advantage of condensation silicone over polysulfide is its relatively short setting time in
the mouth (typically 6-8 minutes). As a result, patient acceptance is better than
polysulfide. It is also less affected by high operatory temperatures and humidity.
Unfortunately, its dimensional stability is less than that of polysulfide although greater
3
than that of reversible hydrocolloid. The material available in all viscosities (Present in
four viscosities ranging from very high (putty) to low. Setting time 5-7 minutes).
Advantages:
1) Accurate if regular or heavy body are cast within 6 hours of recording
2) Very good elastic properties, recovery of strain, adequate tear strength, neutral
color and taste
Disadvantages:
1) poor wetting characteristics because it is extremely hydrophobic
2) Volatile by-products (ethyl alcohol) result in weight loss and shrinkage on storage
B
B.. Addition Silicon impression material (vinyl polysiloxane silicon):
1) The main difference between the addition silicone and the condensation silicone is
that it has much greater dimensional stability than the condensation type as its
polymerization reaction does not give off any by-product. The material is also
supplied as a two-paste system (base and accelerator or catalyst). The material
available viscosities are extra low, low, medium, heavy, and very heavy (putty)
consistencies. Impression pouring should be delay 1-2 hours (liberate hydrogen gas
during polymerization, air bubbles will result)
Advantages:
1) The most dimensionally stable material (no by-product).
2) Accurate, high elastic properties, adequate tear resistance, nontoxic, neutral color and
taste.
Disadvantages:
1) Hydrophobic thus strict moisture control is mandatory (some manufactures added
surfactant (detergent) to make it more hydrophilic).
2) Surfactants improve surface wettability.
3) New hydrophilic addition silicone (Take 1, Kerr).
4) Sulfur contamination from natural latex gloves inhibits the setting of addition silicone
5) Touching the tooth with latex gloves before seating the impression can inhibit the setting
of critical surface next to tooth
6) Vinyl Polyether Silicon
n It is formulation that combines the properties of the addition silicones and polyethers.
n The material has dimensional properties similar to those of the addition silicones and
polyethers.
4
General factors that affect most of elastomeric rubber impression materials:
1) The rubber impression materials shrink during polymerization, so we must be sure
about complete setting of the material before we remove it from the patient mouth.
2) The impression must be poured within one hour after removal.
3) The rubber impression materials are most accurate when they are used in thin
section and this will necessities the use of special tray when taking the impression to
reduce the amount of the impression material so that we reduce the dimensional
change that will occur.
4) The temperature and humidity reduce the setting time.
5) Alteration in the ratio of catalyst to base, will affect the setting time of the material.
For the final impression we need special tray, special impression syringe and the
impression material. The special tray is made on the study cast.
Advantages of the study cast:
11)) Diagnosis and treatment planning.
22)) Construction of provisional restoration.
33)) Construction of special tray.
Advantages of special tray:
11)) It allows the use of impression material in minimum thickness to reduce its
dimensional changes.
22)) It reduces the discomfort of the patient because it is well fitted to the patient’s mouth.
33)) Its small size prevents the forcible opening of the mouth.
5
44)) It allows free snap-removal of the impression (without applying rotary movements).
o impression syringe:
Most of time it is made from clear plastic and should be available with different nozzle sizes,
we need this syringe to carry light body impression material from the mixing slab and inject
it, then, to the different areas of preparation.
Impression techniques:
According to number of steps and the Viscosity of impression Materials used during
impression registration we have the following techniques;
1. One step Impression technique
I. Monophase Single Viscosity
II. Heavy-Light
2. Two steps Impression technique
I. Spaced Putty Wash
II. Un Spaced Putty Wash
11)) One step (monophase Single viscosity) technique.
Most of the time, we use this technique when we have impression material with single
viscosity (medium body with polyether impression material) after we mix the material, part
of the impression material is loaded in the syringe from the mixing slab, the other mixed part
of the material is loaded into the tray. The impression material is injected from the syringe
around the preparations starting with the most critical parts (pin holes, finishing lines then,
the preparations and the remaining part of the dental arch then), the special tray loaded with
impression material were then inserted inside the patient mouth and seat over the whole
dental arch., wait for complete setting of the impression material then, it can be removed
from the patient’s mouth.
22)) One step (heavy light or Double mix) technique.
Usually used with materials that have two viscosities (heavy and light bodies), we mix the
heavy and light bodies at the sometime then, the light body is loaded in the syringe while,
the heavy body is loaded in the special tray. We start to inject the light body on the dental
6
arch starting with the prepared tooth then, the special tray with heavy body is inserted
inside the patient’s mouth and seated over the dental arch The pressure created by the
heavy body will create
Ø An intimate contact of light body with the prepared tooth surface.
Ø make direct flow of the light body into details of the preparation.
33)) Two steps Putty wash technique.
This technique uses a high viscosity putty material; we start taking the impression with
the putty body which could be before or after tooth preparation. Putty impression be:
1) Un-spaced putty impression; putty impression is recorded first after tooth
preparation, then, after setting it reline relined with a thin layer or wash of light body
impression material.
2) Spaced putty impression as for un-spaced except a space is created inside the putty
impression for the wash (light body) layer. Space could be created by:
I. Record with putty before teeth preparation
II. Record with putty after teeth preparation. Create space using polyethylene spacer.
III. Record with putty after teeth preparation. Create a space and escape channels using
a scalpel.
Impression Procedure;
Step one:
o Spaced PWT;
Putty impression of dental arch including the prepared tooth or teeth is firstly taken,
space inside impression is created by one of following means:
1) Before preparation: we take a preoperative impression with the putty body only
prior to tooth preparation, and after complete setting of the heavy body, remove
the impression tray from the patient's mouth and leave it aside. Then we do tooth
preparation.
2) After preparation: in this technique, after mixing of the putty body and loading it
in the tray, a spacer made of polyethylene is placed over the heavy body and the
tray is inserted inside the patient's mouth. After complete setting of the heavy
body, the tray is removed and the spacer is removed.
3) Or you can take putty impression after teeth preparation without spacer, then,
after removal of the putty impression tray from the patient's mouth create a space
and escape channels by removing from inside using a scalpel.
7
o Un spaced PWT : as previous except that putty impression recorded after teeth
preparation , no space is created her whether by using spacer or removal of surface layer
of putty by scalpel, then, after complete setting, it is removed from the patient’s mouth
and left a side .
Step two:
Whether spaced or un spaced putty wash technique, the next step is to mix the
light body impression material, part of the mix loaded into the impression syringe
while the remaining portion of the mix is placed into the tray over the heavy body
impression. The light body is then injected around the preparation and the whole
dental arch, the heavy body impression is then reseated inside the patient's mouth over
the injected light body impression material and wait for the complete setting of the
light body.
Impression for the post crown:
We need an impression for the root canal space, so, the impression material most of the
time is difficult to be inserted inside the tiny canal and even when it fills the canal it
8
might tear during removal or might be distorted during pouring with die stone (during
construction of working cast). Therefore, So the impression material need a type of
reinforcement, this can be obtaining either by a plastic post or by stainless wire, which is
inserted into the canal after injecting the light body inside the canal, this will support the
impression material and prevents its tearing or distortion during removal of the
impression, after the setting of the material, from the patient mouth.
The impression should be inspected for the following:
1. Finishing line should be continuous from one side to another.
2. Presence of air bubble in the area of preparation.
3. Good attachment of the impression material to the tray.
Remember that you need the following requirements to obtain a good final impression:
1) Special tray.
2) Impression syringe.
3) Gingival retraction when needed.
4) Good understanding of the physical properties of the impression material which results in
good handling of the material.
5) Dry field of operation. This is because all elastic impression materials, except
hydrocolloids, are hydrophobic. i.e., they don't displace moisture; therefore, any moisture if
present will result in voids or folds within the final impression.
Digital impression
Digital impression represents the most recent development in Dentistry. It is procedure of
recording the information related to the prepared teeth using scanning device that going to
convert the shape of the prepared teeth into three dimensional (3-D) image display on the
computer monitor. The operator then designs a restoration shape using a special computer
software, which is connected with a milling machine. This procedure is termed CAD-CAM
(Computer Aided Designing - Computer Aided Manufacturing). The CAD/CAM system
utilize a process chain consisting of scanning, designing and milling phases. The introduction
9
of CAD/CAM systems in 1980s to dental field resolved a wide range of these limitations
founding in the conventional impression techniques that required many steps; preparation of
the abutment teeth, tray selection, impression making, impression disinfection, wax up and
finally casting. As a result, several factors could effect on the accuracy of the traditional
impression technique. Furthermore, CAD/CAM provides speed, storing the captured images
with no distortion, 3D pre-visualization and checking the preparation and restoration before
cementation.
Based on their production methods the Digital scanning can be divided Digital
impression into:
1) Indirect (extra oral) digital impression (Dental laboratory models):
The indirect systems scan a stone cast or die of the prepared tooth, in the dental lab (eg
Cerec-in lab).Many of this system produce copings which require the dental technician to add
esthetic porcelain for individualization and characterization of the restoration.
Dis-advantages
Ø A cast need to be fabricated so, impression making is must, however master cast
fabrication is time consuming and error prone method.
Ø Shadowing effect limits use of extra oral digitization method.
2) Direct (intra oral) digital impression:
Most widely and commercially used in Cerec System. This system can scan the tooth
preparation intraorally using an intra-oral camera (scanner) to capture the desired image
(optical impression). This image is then electronically transferred either to in office CAD
CAM or in lab CAD CAM (a manufacturing facility) and by selecting appropriate materials,
the restoration can be fabricated and seat within a single appointment. This procedure is
termed CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Designing - Computer Aided Manufacturing).
The main advantages of Direct (intra oral) digital impression, It allows the dental care
professional to take the data directly from the prepared tooth and there is no necessity of
taking an impression and fabricating a cast. However, the only disadvantage of this technique
that Tongue and saliva may pose some problems.
Types of intra oral digital scanner
Based on data files created intra oral camera (scanner) might be;
1) Open-system software
Architecture files, typically termed STL files (standard file format also STL sometime
referred as “Standard Tessellation Language” or “Standard Triangle Language”, are not
10
dependent on the manufacturer, and can be used virtually in any design software to fabricate
final restoration (Allow the adoption of the original digital data by CAD software and CAM
devices from different companies)
2) Closed-system software
Architecture collects and manipulates data modules by the same manufacturer, offering
laboratory owners security and a one-stop for resolving problems (All the steps are integrated
into one system, and there is no interchangeability between different systems from other
companies
Scanning procedure
After the tooth preparation is completed and the tissues are retracted to visualize the tooth
margins, the tooth is dried and readied for scanning. Some scanning systems require the use
of an oxide powder on the tooth to remove optical highlights from the surface of the
preparation and to enhance the scan quality. Scanners use either a series of static images or a
stream of video images to capture the geometry of the tooth preparation.
Advantages of digital impression
1. Digital impressions eliminate the uncomfortable experience of making a physical
impression.
2. Evaluation of your preparation.
3. The image on the monitor shows you if you have captured all the needed details before
sending it to the lab.
4. The accuracy of the mounting, bite registration, and stability of the dies create a model
that allows the laboratory technician to fabricate a final restoration that has excellent
marginal fit and incredibly accurate occlusion.
5. The ability to see if proper occlusal reduction has been achieved.
6. Recordkeeping. The digital impression can be stored and saved in PCs.
7. Disinfection of impressions is now a non-issue with a digital system.
8. Reducing Chairside time
Disadvantages of Digital impression.
1- The large size and the weight of the camera head and the device size.
2- Digital equipment’s are complex and trained operator is required to operate and
maintain the device.
3- High Cost.
11
Disinfection of Impressions
Set impressions are a source or reservoir for pathogens. They have been found to contain
microorganisms – bacteria, fungi and viruses – following their removal from the patient’s
mouth, through transport to the laboratory and have also been shown to transmit
microorganisms into stone and plaster while models are being poured. As such, they represent
a risk for disease transmission to dental healthcare workers, transporting personnel, and
laboratory personnel through indirect contact. Therefore, irrespective of the purpose, an
appropriate infection prevention protocol must be followed before, during and after
impression taking to avoid cross-contamination and the risk of disease transmission.
Disinfectants VS Antiseptics
Antiseptics, define as, Chemicals that destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms on
living things (cell), while, Disinfectants are, Stronger Chemicals that destroy or inhibit the
growth of microorganisms on object or non-living things. Accordingly, disinfection of
impression is The process of destruction or removal of all pathogenic organisms, or
organisms capable of giving rise to infection from impression.
Disinfectant protocol & Types of Impression Materials
Impression materials include the use non-elastic (such as compound) and elastic impression
materials. The vast majority of procedures use elastic impression materials – aqueous
hydrocolloids (typically alginate) and non-aqueous elastomeric materials including
vinylpolysiloxanes (VPS or addition reaction silicones) (e.g., Aquasil), condensation reaction
silicones (e.g., Xantopren), polysulfides (e.g., Permlastic) and polyethers (e.g., Impregum).
The characteristics of these materials with respect to their hydrophilicity, the presence or
absence of surfactant and their tolerance of immersion in water or other fluids are key
elements in understanding disinfection protocols for impression materials. For example, VPS
is hydrophilic and will absorb water and other liquids, changing its dimensions, and
surfactant may also leach out affecting the wettability of the impression; polyether is also
hydrophilic and can leach; and alginates are sensitive to wet and dry environments.
An Overview of the Disinfection Procedure
Impression materials cannot tolerate heat and must therefore be chemically treated, as with
heat-sensitive instruments (except handpieces). However, while instruments can be cold
sterilized by immersing them in a hospital-level disinfectant for several hours (the number
depending on the chemical), impression materials are sensitive to long-term immersion and
are therefore disinfected, as opposed to cold-sterilized which takes longer.
12
Disinfectant materials
Ø Glutaraldehyde / Cidex (2% alkaline NaHCO3):
It is a high level disinfectant. Especially active against tubercle bacilli, fungi and viruses.
Less toxic than formaldehyde. Exposure time: > 10hrs.
Ø Phenols:
Acts by cell membrane damage thus releasing cell contents and causing lysis.Eg. Cresol
(LYSOL), chlorhexidine (SAVLON), chloroxylenol (DETTOL) and hexachlorophen. Phenol
is commonly found in mouthwashes, scrub soaps and surface disinfectants. Low efficiency
disinfectant
Ø Halogens:
Bleaching powder or hypochlorite solution mostly used disinfectant for HIV infected
material. In concentration of 0.05 or 0.5% used for surface material and instruments
disinfection. Should be prepared daily because of instability of sodium hypochlorite solution.
Active against bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses (HB, HIV)
Ø Iodophors & Iodine
Active against bacteria, spores & some viruses & fungi. (7.5% Povidone+iodine= Betadine
The manufacturer’s directions for disinfection must be followed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of disinfectant materials
13
The general steps in the disinfection procedure are as follows:
Ø Blood and bioburden must first be cleaned off the impression prior to disinfection
Ø Cleaning should be performed immediately after taking the impression, before blood and
bioburden has a chance to dry onto the impression material. While instruments can be
pre-soaked to loosen debris, impression materials have limited tolerance of immersion in
liquids and this should therefore be minimized and controlled
Ø The impression material is next disinfected using any of disinfectant material
Ø After disinfecting the impression, it must be rinsed under running water before being
further processed or sent to the laboratory. Failure to properly rinse the disinfectant off
the impression can result in a substandard model due to incorporation of residual
disinfectant into the mixed stone or plaster
METHODS OF DISINFECTING IMPRESSIONS
The required exposure time for a disinfectant is an important element in its selection for
disinfecting impressions. The impression is soaked by either spraying or immersing the
impression material. Both techniques have been found to be effective in controlling bacterial
contamination and preventing cross-contamination. Immersing a given impression material in
disinfecting solutions and other fluids for too long a period risks dimensional and surface
changes – and, therefore, inaccuracies in dies and models.
Whether Disinfecting Solution or Sprays, the manufacturer’s recommendations must be
followed. When removed from patient mouth, all impression material has been come in
contact with body fluid. After removal from mouth the impression is immediately rinsed with
tap water and dried with air syringe. Suitable chemicals should be used for disinfection such
as glutaraldehyde Solution or iodophor sprays. Because of it tendency to distort and absorb
moisture, polyether and hydrophilic addition silicon impression materials should be sprayed
and stored in a plastic bag rather than submerge and soaked in a glutaraldehyde solution. For
more detail read the below table.
14
