Where polyvinylsiloxanes and polyethers shine
Current evidence in the literature cautions or contraindicates the following for IOS:
- Subgingival margins pose challenges for all IOS systems, discretion is advised. IOS cannot see through fluids or into undercuts or displace soft tissue like impression materials.
- Edentulous and partially edentulous cases are contraindicated at this time.
I also prefer physical materials for the following:
- Most anterior implants or any situation where soft tissue reproduction can be a make-or-break factor for the final prosthetics – most labs agree with me here.
When it comes to edentulous and partially edentulous patients, I would think most US dentists would use a VPS or polyether material, with VPS in the clear majority. I won’t argue that excellent results cannot be achieved using both, but I will state that polyether (PE) has distinct advantages, and, in my experience, VPS falls a bit short. This is why PE has been my go-to material for over 25 years where IOS is not indicated (edentulous and partially edentulous). PE is inherently hydrophilic and exhibits the lowest water contact angles of all elastomeric materials. VPS materials, by comparison, have surfactants added to them to lower the contact angles, but they are not equivalent to PE. I’ve tried many VPS materials over the years and always go back to PE, especially with today’s formulations which have by and large addressed tastes, odors, difficult removal, and long set times. As an inherently hydrophilic material, PE excels in terms of flow. It has the inherent wettability necessary for the reproduction of the finest details where success is measured in microns. And let’s be real, moisture forgiveness is a big deal! For these reasons, when physical materials are needed, PE satisfies all my needs for fixed and removable prosthetics. Laboratories that I have worked with over the years also generally report fewer remakes with PE as compared to VPS. Full arch cases and frameworks for fixed or removable prosthetics demonstrate precision fits. PE is available in varying viscosities and I prefer “soft” quick polyether materials with a syringeable light body, which is much easier to remove from undercuts. My ideal set time is 3:00 minutes (a regular set of 4:15 is also available). Soft, quick polyether materials are applicable for the largest and most routine of cases. In terms of delivery, I prefer the centralized, automated mixing system as opposed to the gun-cartridge system. I do use VPS in one situation – for gaggers and behavioral patients, where speed is paramount and clinically sufficient detail can be realized. Imprint 4 Super Quick (set time 1:30) is great for single units and a lifesaver for problematic patients needing partials and dentures (custom tray recommended).