[Wettability and accuracy of reproduction of impression materials]

Traditional elastomeric impression materials, four recently developed "hydrophilic" silicones and a hydrocolloid have been tested for their accuracy of reproduction by use of indirect measurements via plaster dies and for their wettability by means of the sessile drop method. The new silicones are reproducing the original model as exactly as the traditional elastomers. The impression techniques have a stronger influence on the results than the impression materials. Although the new silicones are more hydrophilic than the traditional elastomers, they do not reach the wettability of a hydrocolloid. The results of the indirect measurements and the results of the contact angle measurements are corresponding to the results of other investigations and to literature data of bubble counts of plaster dies made of different impression materials.