Choice of impression materials and techniques by dentitsts

Objectives: The objective is to discuss the selection and use of various impression materials and techniques as they are currently applied in dentistry.
Methods: Peer-reviewed publications and relevant text books were identified and utilised to inform this review.
Results: Concerted research and development has yielded advances in properties of elastic impression materials with the newest material being a product of the congruence of polyether and addition cured silicone chemistries -vinylsiloxanether. Moreover, since 1980’s impression recording techniques have evolved to include intraoral scanning systems that capture the area of interest, and digital impression devices that export images to a milling machine. Overall the most commonly selected impression materials for final impressions is addition cured silicone (polyvinyl siloxane). Dentists’ preference for impression materials and techniques for the various procedures varies marginally. Choice of the impression material and technique of impression taking has been reported to be influenced by availability of the material, prostheses for which the procedure is intended, personal preference and in some instances cost. Notably, the digital impression technique has been embraced due to accuracy and efficiency but its’ use is yet to be widespread. Finally, although the available impression materials demonstrate adequate properties improper material selection and manipulation can yield inaccurate impressions.
Conclusions: Whereas the future may indicate greater reliability with the use of digital technology and the newest elastic impression material vinyl siloxanether is claimed to bring on-board improved wettability and accuracy, the question remains how are dentists currently selecting materials and techniques for impressions?