Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:(6):428-34

Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials: An update

on clinical use
Michael N. Mandikos, BDSc, MS*

Abstract their different curing reactions.3 As the dimensional

Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials have stability of the polyvinyls is so much improved and
applications in a variety of indirect procedures in the setting reaction is sufficiently different from the
prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. Favourable condensation curing silicones, the polyvinyl siloxanes
handling properties, good patient acceptance and warrant classification as a separate category of
excellent physical properties have resulted in their
popularity in today’s practice. In this review, the
material.4
chemistry and important physical properties of The base material contains a polymethyl hydrogen
polyvinyl siloxanes are summarized, and recent siloxane copolymer, which is a moderately low
clinical questions of improved hydrophilics, tray molecular mass polymer with silane terminal
adhesives, disinfection, and glove-induced
polymerization inhibition are addressed. groups.3,5 The accelerator material contains the
vinyl-terminated polydimethyl siloxane. This is also
Key words: Polyvinyl siloxane, elastomer, impression
a moderately low molecular mass polymer but has
materials, hydrophilic, polymerization inhibition.
vinyl terminal groups.3,5 The accelerator material
(Received for publication November 1997. Revised
March 1998. Accepted April 1998.)
also contains chloroplatinic acid as a homogeneous
metal complex catalyst.6-8 On mixing, an addition
reaction occurs between the silane and vinyl groups
Introduction (Fig. 1). There is minimal dimensional change during
The polyvinyl siloxane impression materials are this polymerization and there are no by-products.
addition reaction silicone elastomers which were Several authors have reported hydrogen gas
first introduced in the 1970s. Since that time and bubble formation on the surface of gypsum dies
especially in the past decade, these materials have poured immediately from polyvinyl siloxane
gained in their acceptance and account for a large impressions.1,2,6 A side reaction of the hydrides on
share of the impression material market. Polyvinyl the base polymer can produce hydrogen gas if
siloxanes have applications in fixed prosthodontics, moisture or residual silanol groups are present.
operative dentistry, removable prosthodontics and Manufacturers have now eliminated the possibility
implant dentistry.1,2 The materials are presented in of this side reaction by proper purification and
the form of two pastes (a base and an accelerator) accurate proportioning of the materials, and by the
which can be hand spatulated or autodispensed from
addition of palladium to the pastes as a hydrogen
a dual cartridge, and mixed in equal quantities for
absorber.7,8 It is no longer necessary to wait for one
use. They have achieved a high level of dentist and
hour before pouring these impressions.
patient acceptance as they are clean, odourless and
tasteless. The base and accelerator pastes also contain
fillers. Amorphous silica or fluorocarbons are used
Chemistr y as fillers to add bulk and improve the properties of
the paste. The filler is also normally silanated to
Polyvinyl siloxane materials are a modification of
increase the bond strength between filler and
the original condensation silicones. Both are based
polymer, which better allows it to function as a
on the polydimethyl siloxane polymer, however the
cross-linker. 6 Colouring agents are added to
presence of differing terminal groups accounts for
distinguish the base and catalyst pastes and to aid
evaluation of mixing. More recently, intrinsic
*Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics, State University
surfactants have also been added in an attempt to
of New York at Buffalo, New York, USA. negate the hydrophobicity of these materials.9
428 Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6.
 Fig. 1. – The accelerator polymer is terminated with vinyl groups which cross-link to the silane
terminal groups on the base polymer when activated by a platinum salt catalyst. Note that this is an
addition reaction and there are no by-products.

Properties b. Working and setting times

a. Viscosity Modern polyvinyl siloxanes have a working time
Polyvinyl siloxanes are available in viscosities ranging of two minutes and a setting time of six minutes
from very low (for pouring, syringing or wash use), (with slight variation). 1,2 These times are considered
to medium, high and very high. The viscosity of the to be adequate if not ideal. Occasionally, situations
material increases with the proportion of filler present. will present which require extended working times
and some methods of altering working and setting
Viscosity is also affected by the shear force placed on
times have been reported in the literature. Alteration
the material. The mixed base and catalyst pastes
of the proportion of catalyst is to be avoided as this
exhibit a decrease in their relative viscosities in
leads to variable results and has been suggested to
response to high shear stresses. This is termed shear
facilitate the side reaction which produces hydrogen
thinning. Thus a medium body impression material
gas.
can possess sufficient viscosity to avoid excess flow if
Some manufacturers supply a retarder that can be
loaded into an impression tray, yet it can also exhibit
incorporated into the mix to provide additional
an apparent lowered viscosity suitable for intrasulcular
working time without compromising other properties.2
impressions, when it is expressed through an
The retarder is a small, reactive, tetracyclic vinyl
impression syringe tip.5,10 The higher the viscosity of
molecule that polymerizes preferentially to the
the material, the more pronounced is the effect of siloxane copolymers. This small molecule is cyclic
shear thinning. This phenomenon is suggested to be and does not form a chain. It is thus a chain stopper,
due to the extremely small filler particle size.10 and temporarily prevents polymerization of the
Thixotropy is the property of certain gels to linear siloxane molecules. The retarder continues to
liquefy when subjected to vibrating forces (for polymerize until it is completely consumed and then
example, ultrasonic waves) and then to solidify when the linear siloxane molecules polymerize causing the
left to stand again. Polyvinyl siloxanes behave impression material to set. The retarder was used by
similarly to this but have not been sufficiently two dental schools in the USA to provide students
investigated to be classified as thixotropic materials. with extended working times in a teaching
Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6. 429
environment. It has become less commonly used Long term dimensional stability of polyvinyl
since the polyvinyl siloxanes became available in siloxanes is reported in the literature. This is because
automix dual cartridges. they are not susceptible to changes in humidity, and
The most convenient and widely advocated they do not undergo any further chemical reactions
method for extending working time is to refrigerate or release any by-products.1-3,5,16-18 Polyvinyl siloxane
the materials before mixing. Gains of up to 90 impressions may be repoured to produce stone dies
seconds have been reported when the materials are which are as accurate as the original, as many as
chilled to 2°C. 2,11 seven days later.1,16,19
The linear coefficient of thermal contraction is
c. Reproduction of detail relatively high for all elastomers. When an impression
Polyvinyl siloxanes are currently considered to is removed from the mouth, there is an element of
reproduce the greatest detail of all the impression shrinkage due to the decrease in temperature that
materials. The international standard for dental occurs as the material moves from the mouth to the
bench. Lower viscosity materials show the greatest
elastomeric impression materials1 states that a type
change (0.02-0.05 per cent shrinkage) due to their
III (light body) impression material must reproduce
lower filler content.16,17 Reheating an impression to
a line 0.020 mm in width. With the exception of the
37°C before pouring has been demonstrated to
very high viscosity putty materials, all polyvinyl
improve the accuracy of the resultant die; however it
siloxanes (light, medium and heavy body) achieve
is doubtful that this is clinically significant.11,17
this. Very low viscosity materials can reproduce lines
1-2 µm wide. 5,12,13
e. Tear energy, elastic recovery and
It should be noted that the literature does not tend deformation
to support the use of putty and wash impression
Impression materials must have sufficient strength
techniques for greatest accuracy in impressions.
to allow removal from a gingival sulcus without
Wassell and Ibbetson14 reported that heavy body and
tearing. Tear energy is that energy required to
wash impressions were more accurate than putty and
sustain a tear through a material, and is of obvious
wash impressions. Frederick and Caputo15 further
importance in thin intrasulcular or interproximal
showed that the putty and wash technique was
areas.
significantly less accurate than polyether (heavy and
light body) or reversible hydrocolloid impressions. Elasticity is inherent to all the elastomeric
impression materials as they are polymers with
highly flexible kinked segments that allow freedom
d. Dimensional stability
of movement. Under a load, the flexible kinked
The accuracy of an impression material is segments of these polymers will uncoil allowing
dependent on the dimensional stability. There are a movement. Upon removal of the load, an ideal
number of possible causes for dimensional changes elastomer will exhibit complete elastic recovery and
in elastomeric impression materials. All rubber return to its prestressed configuration. The degree
polymers must contract slightly during polymerization to which this occurs is a measure of the elastic
as a result of reduction in spatial volume as they recovery of the material. Permanent deformation
cross-link. If the setting reaction produces a by- occurs when a polymer is elongated beyond the
product or if accelerator components are liberated, point where elastic recovery is possible. Permanent
then the set volume is further decreased. Some deformation is related to the degree of cross-linking
impression materials like the polyethers are less of the polymer strands, temperature, and the rate of
hydrophobic and can absorb and then even lose applied stress.20
water if they are placed in wet or varying humidity The ideal impression material should exhibit
environments. Changes in temperature can also lead maximum energy absorption with minimal distortion.
to varying changes in the final dimensions. However, it is also desirable that the material tears
Polyvinyl siloxanes show the smallest dimensional rather than deforms past a critical point such as a
changes on setting of all the elastomeric impression margin. Polyvinyl siloxanes deform at much slower
materials. The majority of this shrinkage is due to rates and tear at points of less permanent deformation
continued polymerization occurring within the first than do the other elastomeric materials.20 Polyvinyl
three minutes of removal of the impression from the siloxanes are frequently reported to be the most
mouth.2 Reductions in volume due to polymerization ideally elastic impression materials because they
have been reported to be as low as 0.1 to 0.05 per exhibit better elastic recovery and less permanent
cent.5,7 This linear contraction is well matched to the deformation than the other elastomers. They can
setting expansion of modern type III and type IV die absorb over three times more energy up to the point
stones and results in a slightly larger replication of of permanent deformation than other elastomers,
the preparation.5,13,16 and if elongated to over 100 per cent (strain at tear),
430 Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6.
they rebound to only 0.6 per cent permanent in this area has involved observations of the wetting
deformation.16,20 of set surfaces of polyvinyl siloxanes. The conclusion
then is that the ‘hydrophilic’ statements refer to the
f. Creep compliance newer materials being more readily poured up with
All elastomers are viscoelastic materials, implying a gypsum-based die stone than the previous
that deformation and elastic recovery are time generation materials. There is no scientific evidence
dependent as well. Therefore, the longer the material to indicate that polyvinyl siloxanes advertised as
is deformed (as occurs when impressions are ‘hydrophilic’ can be syringed into a wet sulcus for an
removed slowly from the mouth or separated slowly accurate impression.2,9,12,23
from a poured model), then the longer time it takes This has been confirmed by Takahashi and
for elastic recovery and the possibility of permanent Finger,24 who demonstrated that under a simulated
deformation becomes higher.5 Polyvinyl siloxanes clinically dry field, both the hydrophilic and original
have the least viscoelastic qualities thus requiring the formulations of polyvinyl siloxane wet tooth structure
least time for recovery from viscoelastic deformation. with equal results. It has also been shown that the
Blomberg et al.21 reported that polyvinyl siloxanes newer hydrophilic materials perform no better than
have sufficient elastic recovery to allow an impression the original formulations of polyvinyl siloxane in
to be poured only six minutes after removal from the wettability for pouring dies, if a compatible, extrinsic,
mouth. spray-on surfactant is applied before pouring.9,23
The application of an extrinsic surfactant to the
g. Radiopacity surface against which an impression is to be made
Radiopacity of impression materials is important has also been suggested. Millar and co-workers25
for radiographic identification of excess material reported a significant reduction in the number of
which may be accidentally swallowed, aspirated or voids and an overall increased quality of polyvinyl
left in gingival tissues. Presently, only the poly- siloxane impression when a modified polydimethyl
sulphide materials exhibit significant radiopacity due siloxane wetting agent was applied to the prepared
to their lead dioxide content. tooth surfaces before impressions were made.
Shillingburg et al.22 tested an experimental
polyvinyl siloxane material containing 20 per cent Impression trays and adhesives
barium sulphate to improve radiopacity. Although Tray spacing and tray design have often been cited
they were able to demonstrate qualities of radiopacity as potential sources of error in impressions for fixed
equal to that of the polysulphides, there were prosthodontic procedures. When only polysulphide
associated physical property drawbacks including materials were available, even tray spacing was
hydrogen bubble formation in dies poured from the critical to minimize distortion due to uneven poly-
impressions, and evidence of long term breakdown merization shrinkage in areas of greater impression
limiting the shelf life. material bulk. The improved physical properties of
modern elastomers and particularly polyvinyl
h. The hydrophilic question siloxanes have diminished this concern and now the
According to O’Brien,8 wetting describes the use of stock trays for impressions has become common
relative affinity of a liquid for a solid. It is the degree practice for reasons of cost and convenience.26
to which a drop will spread on a solid surface, and Common stock trays made of polystyrene or
can be quantified by observing the contact angle. chromium plated brass are reported to be suitably
High angles (greater than ninety degrees) indicate stiff to prevent flexure or distortion, although there
poor wetting, whilst a zero angle would indicate remains some possibility of tray wall flexure with
perfect wetting of the surface. When discussing the polystyrene trays.27 Wassell and Ibbetson14 and Payne
wetting characteristics of impression materials, it is and Pereira 28 identified poor fitting stock trays and
important to distinguish between the ability of the consequent tray wall flexure as the greatest concern
material to flow around the soft and hard tissues of for inaccuracy.
the mouth, and the ability of the material to be wet Whether custom or stock trays are used for
by a gypsum slur ry. impressions, another potential source of error may
Polyvinyl siloxanes are inherently hydrophobic.3,7 arise if the material is not adequately retained in the
However in recent times, new ‘hydrophilic’ polyvinyl impression tray when it is removed from the mouth.
siloxanes have been introduced with manufacturer The use of adhesives in trays has been shown to
claims that they better wet moist dental surfaces. achieve higher material bond strengths for polyvinyl
These new formulations have intrinsic surfactants siloxanes than has mechanical retention.28,29 The
added. Typically these are non-ionic surfactants of adhesives used are usually polydimethyl siloxane and
nonylphenoxypolyethanol homologues.7,23 Research ethylsilicate. The adhesive reacts with the surface of
Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6. 431
the tray material and forms a chemical bond to the Herrera and Merchant33 tested the dimensional
tray and to the impression material. It is generally stability of different impression materials following
recommended to wait ten to fifteen minutes after immersion disinfection for thirty minutes. They
application of the adhesive before making the observed that polyvinyl siloxane and polysulphide
impression.29 This allows time for the solvent to were unaffected after immersion in sodium
react with the tray material. hypochlorite, 2 per cent glutaraldehyde, 0.5 per cent
The polyether systems have the greatest bond povidone-iodine and 0.16 per cent halogenated
strengths while the polyvinyl siloxanes show great phenol whilst polyethers were significantly unstable.
variability between manufacturers with some being Even after extending the immersion times to sixty
very poor, and others rivalling the polyether minutes, del Pilar Rios et al.34 agreed with the findings
systems.27 Bond strengths will also vary depending of Herrera and Merchant. Johansen and Stackhouse35
on the tray material. In contrast to the polyethers demonstrated that polyvinyl siloxanes were able to
and polysulphides, Chai et al.27 reported that be immersed in 2 per cent glutaraldehyde for 16
adhesive strength to acrylic resin (custom trays) was hours without any observed dimensional changes,
significantly lower than polystyrene or metal stock whilst polyether materials showed dramatic distortions
trays for the polyvinyl siloxanes. under the same conditions.
Holtan et al.36 measured the dimensional stability
Visible light-cured tray materials based on urethane
of polyvinyl siloxanes after sterilization procedures
dimethacrylate have found recent acceptance.
using a conventional steam autoclave, and an
Investigations into their bond strengths with
ethylene oxide gas autoclave. They determined that
polyvinyl siloxane adhesives indicate that they bond
sterilization in ethylene oxide gas resulted in gas
better than polymethyl methacrylate mat e ri a l s
inclusions into the impression material which then
provided that the air inhibited non-polymerized
formed bubbles in dies poured immediately from
layer is removed with isopropyl alcohol or a carbide
them. Waiting to pour dies for 24 hours after gas
bur.28,30 Sulong and Setchell31 demonstrated that
autoclaving prevented this problem. Impressions
roughening the surface of the impression tray will
sterilized in the steam autoclave did undergo
significantly improve the effectiveness of polyvinyl distortion that would have been significant enough
siloxane adhesives. to prevent a casting from seating. It was concluded
It is important to note that although other that steam autoclaving was a suitable sterilization
elastomers have stronger bonding adhesives, these method if the impressions were not to be used for
cannot be substituted for use with polyvinyl fixed prostheses.
siloxanes. Also, polyvinyl siloxane putties are reported Most recently, radiofrequency glow discharging
to show no chemical adhesion to their adhesive and has been advocated for use as a disinfecting
so the use of putties requires mandatory mechanical procedure for polyvinyl siloxane impressions.37
retention in the impression tray.27 Whilst this procedure is claimed to clean and
In many clinical situations, the impression tray must improve the wettability of the impression surface, it
be tried in the mouth prior to impression making is not clear if glow discharging results in sterilization.†
and this leads to saliva contamination. If the tray has
already been painted with adhesive, then subsequent Compatibility with die materials
application is recommended to maintain bond The hydrophobicity of polyvinyl siloxanes is well
strengths. Contaminated adhesives have shown a drop established, however, as mentioned previously, the
in bond strength to one-fifth of their original amount.32 introduction of newer materials with intrinsic
surfactants or the conjunctive use of extrinsic
Disinfection surfactants topically, can greatly improve wettability.
Disinfection is the inhibition or destruction of This makes polyvinyl siloxanes compatible with
pathogens and can be achieved by immersion of an gypsum, epoxy resin, and polyurethane resin
impression into antimicrobial chemical solutions for materials.9,12,38
3 to 90 minutes depending on the agent. Sterilization Gypsum stones cannot reproduce detail much
is the total elimination of all micro-organisms and smaller than 20 µm because their crystal size ranges
spores and requires immersion periods of 6 to 10 hours. from 15 to 25 µm. Epoxy and polyurethane resins
Extended periods of immersion can risk distorting can reproduce detail down to 1 to 2 µm making
impressions by liquid uptake and subsequent them highly compatible with the detail capture
swelling of the material. Consequently, procedures possible with polyvinyl siloxane impressions.12
currently used to control the transmission of Polyvinyl siloxanes can also be silver electroplated.
pathogens from impressions have tended to be This procedure can be facilitated by soaking the
disinfecting and not sterilizing due to concern for
the accuracy of the impression. † Baier RE. Written communication, September 1996.

432 Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6.

impressions in water for 24 hours before application adequate tear strengths, and exceptional dimensional
of the silver powder. It is thought that this alters the stability. They are compatible with all common die
concentration of surfactants in the surface layers of materials, can be disinfected or sterilized, and can be
the impression.‡ Crispin et al.39 reported that silver repoured after delayed periods. They are dispensed
dies recovered from polyvinyl siloxane impressions in convenient automixing dual cartridges or single
are the most accurate dies. tubes and are available in several viscosities. If
The ability to pour duplicate dies from one handled appropriately, polyvinyl siloxanes can be
impression is highly advantageous. Morgano et al.40 applied in almost any indirect procedure.
reported that the removal of dies and subsequent
repouring of polyvinyl siloxane impressions produced Acknowledgements
clinically accurate duplicate models. The author would like to thank Dr J. Malcolm
Carter, Associate Professor Biomaterials, Department
Gloves and the inhibition of polymerization of Restorative Dentistry, State University of New
Occasionally an inhibition or retarding effect is York at Buffalo, for his advice in preparing this
seen on polyvinyl siloxanes when they are used in a manuscript.
clinical setting. This phenomenon can occur after
direct contact between the impression material and References
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434 Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:6.