Silver-plated dies. Part I: Platability of impression materials

The purpose of this study were to determine the acceptability of silver-plated dies made from representative brands of impression material from each of the four groups of elastomers and to determine the time required for initial plating of dies. Permlastic and Impregum , each previously shown to produce consistent silver-plated dies, were used for comparison. Representatives from the condensation-reaction and addition-reaction ( polyvinylsiloxanes ) silicones groups were tested until satisfactory materials were selected. Citricon and Xantopren - Optosil were tested in the former group and President and Reprosil in the latter. Conclusions include the following: All materials were flash-plated in 10 minutes or less. Acceptable silver-plated dies were obtained from Permlastic and Impregum . Acceptable silver-plated dies were obtained from condensation-reaction silicones with Xantopren - Optosil . From the polyvinylsiloxane group, Reprosil plated more consistently than President. Both produce acceptable dies. The technique modification studied was not effective for Citricon and President. The surface quality of silver-plated dies and the consistency of plating varies with materials. Individual impression materials should be tested prior to their routine clinical use with silver-plating procedures.