Effect of provisional luting agents on polyvinyl siloxane impression material

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Prosthodontics
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Eugenol-containing cements are commonly used for provisional restorations.
• Concerns exist regarding their potential to inhibit the polymerization of polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression materials.
• This inhibition could compromise the accuracy of dental impressions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clinically evaluate the polymerization inhibition effect of eugenol-containing and eugenol-free luting agents on a specific PVS impression material.
• To determine if traditional luting agents interfere with modern impression techniques.

Main Methods:

• Five luting agents (three with eugenol, two without) were used to cement provisional crowns on 60 prepared human posterior teeth.
• After 2.5 weeks, provisional crowns were removed, and impressions were made using a specific PVS material.
• The setting of the PVS impression material was assessed after contact with residual luting agents.

Main Results:

• None of the tested luting agents, including those containing eugenol, demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the polymerization of the polyvinyl siloxane impression material.
• Clinical evaluation confirmed successful impression making without material setting issues.

Conclusions:

• The use of eugenol-containing luting agents for provisional restorations does not inhibit the polymerization of the evaluated polyvinyl siloxane impression material.
• Clinicians can confidently use eugenol-containing cements without compromising PVS impression accuracy for provisional restorations.