Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials: a review of properties and techniques

Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials have been shown to have excellent properties as impression materials; however, they are sensitive to manipulative variables. Several methods of using very high viscosity (putty) materials to form "trays" to obtain uniform bulk of the wash impression are described, and the disadvantages of each of these techniques is pointed out. It is recommended that for best results acrylic resin custom trays should be used routinely. The interaction of polyvinyl siloxane materials with latex products is also discussed and problems that this inhibition can cause are stated. Suggestions to avoid this interaction are outlined. One of the disadvantages of the impression materials is that it has a relatively short working time. Refrigerating the material will increase working time without affecting accuracy.