Accuracy of one-step versus two-step putty wash addition silicone impression technique

This study compared the accuracy of one-step putty wash with two-step putty wash impression techniques. Five addition silicone impression materials-Mirror 3 (MR), Mirror 3 Extrude (ME), Express (E), Permagum (P), and Absolute(A)--were tested. A stainless steel model containing two full-crown abutment preparations was used as the positive control. Five replications for one-step and two-step putty wash impressions of the master model were made for each test material. Accuracy of the materials was assessed by measuring six dimensions on stone dies poured from impressions of the master model. Accuracy of addition silicone impression material is affected more by material than technique. Accuracy of the putty wash one-step impression technique was not different from the putty wash two-step impression technique except at one of the six dimensions where one-step was more accurate than two-step. Mirror 3 putty wash two-step impression presented less distortion than Mirror 3 Extrude putty wash one-step or two-step impression.