The effects of chemical sterilisation on the dimensional stability of some elastomeric impression materials

The dimensional stability of a range of dental elastomeric impression materials has been assessed, to study the effect of storage in sterilising solutions. Experiments were carried out on polysulphides, a poly(ether urethane) and several condensation and addition silicones. The last materials had the greatest dimensional stability over a range of storage conditions, which included aqueous glutaraldehyde and hypochlorite solutions.