Working Time
There should be sufficient time for mixing, loading onto the tray and seating the impression into the mouth.
Setting Time
Once the material is in place, it should set fast.
Why should an impression material set quickly in the mouth? Any material which takes a long time to set in the mouth:
• Would obviously be uncomfortable to the patient.
• Result in a wastage of time for the dentist. In a busy practice, this could lead to a lot of stress.
• Movement is bound to occur, resulting in stresses and errors in the impression.
Initial setting time is the period from the beginning of the mixing until the material ceases to pull away or string out when its surface is touched with a metal rod of specified dimensions. The impressions should be seated in the mouth before the initial set.
The final set occurs when a needle of specified dimension fails to penetrate the surface of the specimen more than 0.2 mm under a load of 50 gm.
Initial setting time Final setting time
Type I 3-6 minutes 10 minutes Type II 3-6 minutes 15 minutes
Factors Controlling Setting Time
• Particle size of zinc oxide powder: If the particle size is small and if it is acid coated, the setting time is less.
• By varying the lengths of the two pastes (not recommended).
• Setting time can be decreased by adding zinc acetate or a drop of water or acetic acid (acetic acid is a more effective than water. It increases speed of formation of the zinc hydroxide).
• Longer the mixing time, shorter is the setting time.
• High atmospheric temperature and humidity accelerate setting.
• Setting can be delayed by cooling the mixing slab, spatula or adding small amounts of retarder or oils or waxes.
PROPERTIES
Consistency and Flow
These are clinically important properties. A paste of thick consistency can compress the tissues. A thin free flowing material copies the tissues without distorting them.
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According to ADA specification No. 16, the spread is: Type I pastes — 30 to 50 mm
Type II pastes — 20 to 45 mm
Clinically, these materials have a very good flow. Occasionally one does come across poor quality impression pastes, which thicken unduly and have a poor flow.
Detail Reproduction
It registers surface details quite accurately due to the good flow.
Rigidity and Strength
The impression should resist fracture and be unyielding when removed from the mouth. The compressive strength of hardened ZOE is 7 MPa 2 hours after mixing.
Dimensional Stability
The dimensional stability is quite satisfactory. A negligible shrinkage (less than 0.1%) may occur during hardening.
Biological Considerations
Some patients experience a burning sensation in the mouth due to eugenol. It can also cause tissue irritation. This may be overcome by using a non-eugenol paste.
MANIPULATION
The mixing is done on an oil-impervious paper or glass slab. Two ropes of paste of same length and width, one from each tube are squeezed onto the mixing slab (Fig. 4.5). A flexible stainless steel spatula is used. The two ropes are combined with the first sweep of the spatula and mixed until a uniform color is observed (Figs 4.6A and B).
Mixing time 1 minute.
Mechanical mixing A rotary mixing device can also be used (Fig. 4.7). Special circular mixing pads are available. These are attached to the circular table of the device. After dispensing the material, the machine is switched on. As the table rotates, the operator first collects the material using the sides of the spatula. He then spreads the material by flattening the spatula. The process of collecting and flattening is repeated alternately until a uniform mix is obtained. Mechanical mixing gives a faster, uniform mix with less voids and bubbles.
ADVANTAGES
1. It has sufficient body so as to make up for any minor under extensions in the tray itself during impression making.
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2. It has enough working time to complete border moulding. 3. It can be checked in the mouth repeatedly without deforming. 4. It registers accurate surface details.
5. It is dimensionally stable.
6. It does not require any separating media since it does not stick to the cast material. 7. Minor defects can be corrected locally without discarding a good impression.
FIGURE 4.6A: Manipulation of zinc oxide eugenol paste: Equal lengths of base and reactor pastes are dispensed
FIGURE 4.5: Paste dispensing: Paste dispensing is an important aspect of the manipulation of all impression materials dispensed in tubes that are of equal length. A—both the ropes should be of equal length and width in order to ensure the correct proportioning. One way of obtaining this is by ensuring the paste coming out of the tube is the same diameter as the mouth of the tube—B
A
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DISADVANTAGES
1. It requires a special tray for impression making. 2. It is sticky in nature and adheres to tissues.
3. Eugenol can cause burning sensation and tissue irritation.
4. It cannot be used for making impression of teeth and under-cut areas as it is inelastic in nature.
OTHER ZINC OXIDE PASTES SURGICAL PASTES
After certain periodontal surgeries (e.g. gingivectomy, i.e. surgical removal of diseased gingival tissues) where suture cannot be placed, a zinc oxide eugenol surgical paste
FIGURE 4.6B: Mixing is done with a stainless steel spatula using circular motions until a streak free mix is obtained (Manufacturers usually provide such materials in contrasting colors to aid in visually ascertaining completion of mix)
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may be placed over the wound to aid in the retention of the medicament, to protect the wound and to promote healing (also known as periodontal pack). These surgical pastes are less brittle and weaker after hardening. The setting time is longer. The paste is mixed and formed into a rope that is packed over the gingival wounds and into the interproximal spaces to provide retention. The final product after setting should be sufficiently strong so that it is not readily displaced during mastication. These pastes may also contain more eugenol and the accelerator content is less.
NON-EUGENOL PASTES
The chief disadvantage of zinc oxide eugenol paste is the burning sensation caused by eugenol. Some patients find the taste of eugenol disagreeable and in cases where the surgical pack is worn for several weeks chronic gastric disturbance may result. Hence non-eugenol pastes were developed. Here, the zinc oxide is reacted with a carboxylic acid.
ZnO + 2RCOOH ———→ → → → → (RCOO)2 Zn + H2O
The reaction is not greatly affected by temperature or humidity. Bactericides and other medicaments can be incorporated. This reaction can be substituted for the zinc oxide eugenol reaction to form any type of dental paste.
BITE REGISTRATION PASTES
These are materials used for recording the occlusal relationship between teeth or occlusion rims. ZOE pastes used for this purpose have slightly different properties.
— shorter setting time to prevent distortion.
— more plasticizers to prevent it from sticking to the teeth or occlusion rims. ZOE registrations are more rigid than registrations made in wax. They are more stable, and offer less resistance to the closing of the jaw.