Impression materials: effect of hydrophilicity and viscosity on ability to displace water from dentin surfaces

The water-displacing ability of hydrophilic and hydrophobic impression materials was determined and related to the hydrophilicity and viscosity of the materials. The water-displacing ability of the materials was determined on a network of grooves in a dentin surface covered by a drop of water. After setting of the material, the number of crossings reproduced in the impression was calculated in percent of the total number of crossings. The hydrophilicity was assessed by measuring the contact angle between water and impression material. To determine viscosity, a rotoviscosimeter was used. Impression materials with contact angles less than 70 degrees showed a significant negative correlation between water-displacing ability and contact angle, i.e. the reproducing ability decreased with decreasing hydrophilicity of the materials. Impression materials with contact angles above 70 degrees showed a significant positive correlation between water-displacing ability and viscosity, i.e. the water-displacing ability improved with increasing viscosity.