Effect of 3 medicaments on the dimensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of polyvinyl siloxane impressions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of retraction cord medicaments (aluminum chloride, ferric sulfate, and ferric subsulfate/ferric sulfate) on the dimensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of polyvinyl siloxane impressions.


METHODS
Polyvinyl siloxane impressions were made of standardized metal dies (American Dental Association [ADA] specification No. 19) treated with 1 of the 3 retraction cord medicaments. Dimensional accuracy was evaluated by comparing the average length of a line in the impressions to the standard die. Surface detail reproduction was evaluated by viewing the impressions under low-angle illumination at x10 magnification. Reproduction was considered satisfactory if 2 of 3 horizontal lines were reproduced continuously. The dies were also evaluated under the microscope before the impression was made.


RESULTS
The medicaments did not significantly effect the dimensional accuracy; mean shrinkage was within ADA guidelines in the treatment groups. All of the medicaments had an adverse effect on surface detail reproduction. These effects were statistically significant compared to the untreated control.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the changes in dimensional accuracy were within ADA guidelines, the surface detail reproduction was modified such that the impression would be considered clinically unacceptable. For optimal results, care must taken to remove all traces of these retraction cord medicaments prior to recording of a polyvinyl siloxane impression.
O'Mahony
A
A
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. omahonya@umkc.edu
Spencer
P
P
Williams
K
K
Corcoran
J
J
D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001252:Astringents / Q000737:chemistry*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001252:Astringents; D002712:Chlorides; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012833:Siloxanes; D013431:Sulfates; C034183:vinyl polysiloxane; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; C024823:ferric sulfate; C028968:ferric subsulfate solution