Clinical success rates for polyether crown impressions when mixed dynamically and statically

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Prosthodontics
• Clinical Dentistry

Background:

• Dual-viscosity impressions are crucial for accurate dental restorations.
• Polyether elastomeric materials offer unique properties but require specific handling.
• Comparing different mixing techniques is essential for optimizing clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the success rates of static versus dynamic mixing techniques for dual-viscosity polyether impression materials.
• To identify factors influencing the success rates of these dental impressions.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 290 subjects (727 teeth) across two centers.
• One-step, dual-viscosity impressions were made using statically mixed (SAM) or dynamically mixed (DMM) polyether tray material.
• Impression success was assessed by trained dentists, evaluating critical defects and operator errors.

Main Results:

• The overall impression success rate was 35.4%.
• Both static mixing (SAM) and dynamic mixing (DMM) demonstrated statistically similar success rates (OR=1.0).
• Impression success was independently influenced by finish line position, blood coagulation disorders, and clinician training level.

Conclusions:

• Static and dynamic mixing techniques for dual-viscosity polyether impression materials yield comparable success rates.
• Clinical factors such as finish line location and operator experience significantly impact impression accuracy.
• Further research may be needed to improve overall success rates in dental impression procedures.