EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL DISINFECTANT SOLUTIONS ON THE STABILITY AND ACCURACY OF THE DENTAL IMPRESSION COMPLEX

Currently available impression materials were not designed for disinfe ction or sterilization, and it is conceivable that disinfectants may a dversely affect impressions. This study evaluated the accuracy and dim ensional stability of polyether (Permadyne/Impregum) and polyvinyl sil oxane (Express) impression materials retained by their adhesives in tw o different acrylic resin tray designs (perforated and nonperforated) when the materials were immersed for either 30 or 60 minutes in three high-level disinfectants. Distilled water and no solution served as co ntrols. A stainless steel test analog similar to ADA specification No. 19 was used. A total of 400 impressions were made with all combinatio ns of impression materials, tray designs, disinfectant, and soaking ti mes. Samples were evaluated microscopically before and after immersion and 48 hours after soaking, Results indicated that these two impressi on materials were dimensionally stable. Because the results emphasized the stability and accuracy of the impression complex under various co nditions, dentists can perform disinfection procedures similar to the protocol of this study without concern for clinically significant dist ortion of the impression.