Comparison of Dimensional Accuracy of Stone Models Fabricated by Three Different Impression Techniques Using Two Brands of Polyvinyl Siloxane Impression Materials.

Aim: The aim of this study is to check the dimensional precision of stone models made by two different brands of polyvinyl siloxane impression materials using the monophase, one-step, and two-step putty/light-body impression techniques.
Materials and Methods: A metal model, having two crown preparations, was fabricated. With each technique, 40 impressions were made using two types of polyvinyl siloxane impression materials (Aquasil and Virtual). A total of 240 impressions were made with both the polyvinyl siloxane impression materials. Monophase impressions were made with a medium body using an acrylic custom tray. By simultaneous usage of putty and light-body, one-step impressions were made with a perforated metal stock tray. For two-step impressions, a 25-40 microns thick cellophane sheet spacer was used. The stone casts were obtained from the impressions of the stainless steel model. Three different dimensions (height, diameter, and inter-abutment distance) on these resultant stone casts were compared with the standard die. The accuracy of two different brands of impression materials was also compared. The results were then statistically analyzed.
Results: The resultant casts obtained from the different impression techniques had significantly larger dimensions in height and diameter, but smaller dimensions were observed for the inter-abutment distance. Larger deviation in resultant casts was observed in the monophase than one-step impression technique and the least deviation was observed in the two-step impression technique.
Conclusion: The two-step impression technique produced the most accurate results in terms of the resultant casts. Out of the two different brands, Aquasil produced more fare results.
Clinical Significance: Adequate marginal adaptation, proper fit and least distortion of the castings, and the final prosthesis can be achieved by using the adequate impression technique and impression material.