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Impression materials

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

#1
Front (Question)

what in an impression

Back (Answer)

a negative reproduction of tissues

#2
Front (Question)

what is the function of an impression material

Back (Answer)

to produce an accurate replica of the surface and shape of hard and soft oral tissues

#3
Front (Question)

what material is used to fill the impression and produce a positive replica

Back (Answer)

dental stone

#4
Front (Question)

what aspects should be shown and why do we want to create a positive replica of the teeth

Back (Answer)

• position, shape, size and orientation of each tooth used: • for evaluating dentition when orthodontic, occlusal or other problems involved • in lab fabrication of restorations and prostheses

#5
Front (Question)

what can we take impressions of

Back (Answer)

• single tooth • whole dentition • edentulous mouth

#6
Front (Question)

What is important for getting an impression with high quality and accuracy for working out treatment options

Back (Answer)

• IM with right properties - clinician with good technique

#7
Front (Question)

what are the two clinical classifications of impression materials

Back (Answer)

mucostatic mucocompressive

#8
Front (Question)

what does mucostatic mean and give examples

Back (Answer)

fluid materials that displace the soft tissues slightly i.e. give an impression of the undisplaced mucosa (displace soft tissues slightly) e.g. zinc oxide eugenol, low viscosity alginates

#9
Front (Question)

what does mucocompressive mean, give examples

Back (Answer)

viscous materials that record an impression of the mucosa under load i.e. give impression of displaced soft tissue(displace soft tissues more) e.g. impression compound, high viscosity alginates/ elastomers

#10
Front (Question)

do we use non-elastic impression materials anymore

Back (Answer)

no

#11
Front (Question)

what are the two different types of elastic impression materials called

Back (Answer)

hydrocolloid elastomeric (ps not sure how this fits in with mucostatic/mucocompressive)

#12
Front (Question)

why is it really important that impression materials are as elastic as possible

Back (Answer)

so that they overcome the elastic strain that occurs during removal (elastic recovery)

#13
Front (Question)

if it was 100% elastic (none really are) then what should the strain % be following removal

Back (Answer)

0%

#14
Front (Question)

No IM is 100% elastic so what do we term them

Back (Answer)

viscoelastic, the lower the level of viscoelasticity the closer they are to the 0% strain we want

#15
Front (Question)

if the IM doesn’t recover following removal what do we end up with

Back (Answer)

permanent strain, a non-accurate impression so we start off with an imperfect respresenation

#16
Front (Question)

how can we minimise the amount of strain the IM undergoes and why do we want to do this

Back (Answer)

• Apply the load quickly - elastic recovery closer to 0% • remove impression with a sharp pull • wait for a while after removing the tray before you pour the cast to minimise permanent strain (deformation)

#17
Front (Question)

What hydrocolloid do we use

Back (Answer)

alginate

#18
Front (Question)

What elastomers do we use

Back (Answer)

• polyethers - silicones (conventional and addition cured)

#19
Front (Question)

If the materials were non elastic (no material is 100% elastic) what would happen when they are removed over the bulbous part of the tooth

Back (Answer)

either deformed or fractured

#20
Front (Question)

Give a summary of the impression process

Back (Answer)

• Preparation - mixing (2 pastes; paste and liquid, powder and liquid etc) - chemical reaction - heat … material flows and takes up shape/ space avaliable • Insertion - tray type? - need for adhesive? • Setting - chemical - polymerisation - cooling - forms solid replica • Removal • Storage - how long? before dimensional changes become significant? - should you wait to allow elastic recovery • Cast preparation

#21
Front (Question)

What are the ideal properties for IM

Back (Answer)

• accuracy • patient factors • operator factors

#22
Front (Question)

What does it mean for an impression material to be accurate

Back (Answer)

• surface detail recorded • no dimensional change on setting • when removing, no effect on oral tissues, no change dimensionally (i.e. no thermal contraction), complete elastic recovery) • doesn’t change dimensionally during storage • dimensions and surfaces unaltered during decontamination • compatible with cast material

#23
Front (Question)

What properties affect IM accuracy

Back (Answer)

• viscocity affects the detail recorded • setting mechanisms could cause dimensional change • thermal expansion coefficient should be low to cope with mouth/room temp • hydophobic/hydrophilic affects surface contact • elasticity • tear strength to withstand tearing when removed esp undercuts

#24
Front (Question)

what does it mean for an IM to have good patient factors

Back (Answer)

• non-toxic, non-irritant • acceptable taste and smell • short setting time • removable without damage to oral tissues