AN IN-VITRO STUDY OF A SURFACE WETTING AGENT FOR ADDITION-REACTION SILICONE IMPRESSIONS

The aims of this study were to determine whether the use of a topical surfactant (Hydrosystem) reduced the number of air bubbles visible on the surface of polyvinyl siloxane impressions and stone dies. The impr essions exhibited a mean of 1.4 +/- 2.1 bubbles when Hydrosystem wetti ng agent was used, which was significantly less (p < 0.001) than when it was not used (mean 5.5 +/- 4.7 bubbles). Dies prepared with Hydrosy stem surfactant contained a mean of 0.4 +/- 0.8 bubbles, which was sig nificantly (p < 0.001) less than when Wax-Mate surface agent was used (mean 3.5 +/- 5.2 bubbles). In conclusion, in vitro use of Hydrosystem surfactant reduced the number of air bubbles on the surface of silico ne impressions and stone dies.