Advances in impression materials take dental mould accuracy to a new level

Advances in flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials have revolutionised the field of dentistry in recent years. These materials have become increasingly popular due to their ability to capture accurate and detailed tooth and gum impressions, leading to improved patient outcomes and greater comfort during the dental impression process.

Traditional dental impression materials, such as alginate[i] and silicone, have long been used in dentistry to create moulds of the teeth and surrounding tissues.[ii] However, these materials often lack flexibility and elasticity, making it difficult to accurately capture the complex contours of the oral cavity. Furthermore, they can cause discomfort and gagging sensations in patients, leading to an unpleasant dental experience.[iii]

Flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials offer a solution to these limitations. These materials are typically made from a combination of silicone, polyether, and other polymers that provide high elasticity and flexibility. This allows them to easily adapt to the oral tissues, capturing precise impressions even in hard-to-reach areas.

One of the key advancements in flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials is the development of improved viscosity control. In the past, some flexible materials were too runny, causing them to flow excessively and compromise the accuracy of the impression.ⁱ  Today, manufacturers have optimised the viscosity of these materials, allowing for better flow control and reduced slump during the impression-taking process. This ensures that the material stays in place and accurately captures the desired impression.

Another important advancement is the introduction of new materials with enhanced tear strength.[iv] Tear strength refers to the resistance of the material to tearing when removing it from the mouth. In the past, some flexible materials would tear easily, necessitating costly and time-consuming re-impressions. However, modern elastomeric materials have been designed with improved tear strength, reducing the need for re-impressions and improving the overall efficiency of the dental procedure.

Flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials now come in a variety of viscosities, allowing dentists to choose the most suitable consistency for each specific dental procedure. For example, a lower viscosity material may be used for capturing fine details, while a higher viscosity material may be preferred for creating impression trays. This versatility provides dental professionals with greater control and precision in their practice.

In addition to improved performance, flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials have also enhanced patient comfort. The elasticity and flexibility of these materials allow for easier removal from the mouth, minimising the risk of discomfort and gag reflex. Patients no longer have to endure the discomfort associated with traditional impression materials, making the entire dental experience more pleasant and less anxiety-inducing. Indeed, despite the industry noise around the advent of digital scans, one study found that there was no statistical difference between the two impression techniques (digital vs conventional) in terms of time or with regard to patient anxiety levels.[v]

The flexibility of these materials also allows for easier pouring of dental gypsum or other materials into the impressions. The flexible material can be gently manipulated to facilitate the pouring process, resulting in more accurate and well-fitting dental restorations.

AFFINIS™ is a silicone-based impression material from COLTENE. AFFINIS™ wash materials wet the tooth and gingiva extremely quickly and effectively. Its distinct surface affinity and flowability virtually eliminates the risk of air voids and distortions. With the AFFINIS™ product range, dental professionals are well prepared for any patient situation, no matter how complex. 

Advances in flexible and elastomeric dental impression materials have transformed the field of dentistry. These materials offer improved accuracy, tear strength, and comfort, leading to better patient outcomes and overall satisfaction. Dentists now have more control and precision in their practice, while patients can experience a more pleasant and comfortable dental visit. Material gains indeed!

For more information, info.uk@coltene.com and 0800 254 5115

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[i] Nandini VV, Venkatesh KV, Nair KC. Alginate impressions: A practical perspective. J Conserv Dent. 2008 Jan;11(1):37-41. doi: 10.4103/0972-0707.43416. PMID: 20142882; PMCID: PMC2813082. [Accessed September 2023]

[ii] Gupta R, Brizuela M. Dental Impression Materials. [Updated 2023 Mar 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574496/ [Accessed September 2023]

[iii] Colvenkar S, Kalmath B, Cherukuri VP, Vanapalli J, Tirukovalur SV. A Simple Technique to Manage Gag Reflex. Cureus. 2023 Feb 24;15(2):e35403. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35403. PMID: 36987489; PMCID: PMC10040145.[Accessed September 2023]

[iv] Singer L, Bourauel C, Habib SI, Shalaby HE, Saniour SH. Tear strength and elastic recovery of new generation hybrid elastomeric impression material: A comparative study. BMC Res Notes. 2022 Jun 27;15(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s13104-022-06110-3. PMID: 35761301; PMCID: PMC9235106. [Accessed September 2023]

[v] Yilmaz H, Konca FA, Aydin MN. An Updated Comparison of Current Impression Techniques Regarding Time, Comfort, Anxiety, and Preference: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Turk J Orthod. 2021 Dec;34(4):227-233. doi: 10.5152/TurkJOrthod.2021.21025. PMID: 35110223; PMCID: PMC8939252. [Accessed September 2023]

Interdental tools are able to effectively reduce plaque between the teeth, making them a great choice for patients’ daily oral hygiene routines.

The FLEXI range of interdental brushes from TANDEX is ideal for your patients. Available in 11 different sizes, you can help patients find the perfect interdental brushes for them. FLEXI brushes are ideal for reducing plaque between the teeth, and should be used daily for the best results. Each size is easily identifiable by the ISO and PHD (passage hole diameter) numbers on their box, as well as their unique colours.

For patients who need an extra boost, recommend PREVENT GEL from TANDEX. It contains 0.12% chlorhexidine and 900 ppm fluoride to strengthen the enamel and provide an antibacterial effect.

For more information about oral hygiene solutions from TANDEX, please get in touch with the team.

For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
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Our products are also available from CTS Dental Supplies https://www.cts-dental.com/ and DHB Oral Healthcare https://dhb.co.uk/

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Any dental pain or discomfort has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. In particular, it has been linked with several mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, stress and even suicidal thoughts.[i] Xerostomia is one condition that can have a substantial impact on the sufferer’s health and wellbeing, so it’s important that dental teams can help patients manage the symptoms effectively.

A widespread condition

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is estimated to affect 40% of people over the age of 55.[ii] This is particularly relevant given the physical and mental health concerns that already exist for the older population. [iii] A Swedish study[iv] also found that women had a higher incidence of xerostomia than men.

It can be a chronic issue for suffers, which impacts every aspect of their lives, from speech to chewing and swallowing. It also increases the risk of tooth decay and dental infection.[v] A leading cause of xerostomia is that it’s an adverse side effect of medication,[vi] so it is not always possible for dental professionals to eliminate the source of the issue directly.

For all these reasons and more, it is essential that dental professionals have the skills and confidence to effectively diagnose xerostomia and help patients manage the symptoms on daily basis.

Assessment of dry mouth

A comprehensive assessment with a thorough medical history is crucial. If a patient regularly takes xerogenic medication, this can be a major indication of dry mouth risk. The patient should also be screened for other conditions associated with dry mouth side effects, such as radiation for head and neck cancer,ⁱⁱ Sjögren’s syndrome[vii] and other systemic diseases like asthma, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, thyroid diseases and eating disorders.[viii]

More tailored questionnaires have then been suggested in order to ascertain the severity of dry mouth symptoms experienced by the patient.[ix] [x] An intraoral examination is, of course, useful, during which the practitioner should look for specific signs of xerostomia. These may include:[xi]

• Where the mirror sticks to the buccal mucosa or tongue
• Frothy saliva
• A lack of saliva pooling in the floor of the mouth
• Loss of papillae of the tongue dorsum
• Smooth gingiva
• A glossy appearance of the oral mucosa
• Cervical caries on more than two teeth

It is also prudent to measure salivary flow rates. Normal stimulated flow rates average at around 1.5-2.0 ml/min, while unstimulated salivary flow rates should be around 0.3-0.4 ml/min. Hyposalivation is typically diagnosed at stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rates of <0.5-0.7ml/min and ≤0.1ml/min, respectively.^x

Management techniques

For many patients who are suffering, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Research[xii] demonstrates that xerostomia treatment improves the feeling of dry mouth in over 75% of patients receiving xerogenic medications. This, in turn, greatly enhances their quality of life without discontinuing medication use. For others who may be able to tackle the cause of their dry mouth, improvement rates may be much higher.

Management techniques may either focus on alleviating symptoms or increasing salivary flow – or both in some cases. Pharmacological treatment often involves the use of sialagogue medications, which stimulate muscarinic receptors and salivation. These are usually only indicated where some salivary gland function remains. They can also cause an array of side effects which must be monitored carefully, including sweating, nausea and rhinitis.[xiii] Electrical stimulation has also been shown to boost salivary flow rates. However, the related technology is not widely accessible in the dental practice.

Simpler solutions that patients can implement immediately include staying hydrated, sucking on ice cubes or sugar-free ice lollies, using lip balm for dry lips, and using sugar-free chewing gum, while also avoiding alcohol-based dentifrices, coffee, acidic foods and smoking.[xiv]

Specialised oral care can offer further daily discomfort relief. Various products in the form of sprays, lozenges or gels may be utilised before meals or as needed throughout the day to stimulate salivary flow or even temporarily substitute saliva. A trusted provider of such products is Oraldent, who offers the innovative Xerostom range of dry mouth solutions to cater to various patient needs and preferences. The portfolio consists of a toothpaste, mouthwash, saliva replacement and mucosa gels, mouth spray and pastilles, all of which contain natural ingredients to deliver daily effective relief from dry mouth discomfort, while helping to ensure proper oral care. They have also been shown to increase salivary flow by up to 200% with appropriate use.[xv]

Restoring quality of life

No matter which discipline they focus on, or how many years they have worked in dentistry, the goal of every dental professional is to help patients improve their health and wellbeing. Dry mouth can have a significant impact on a sufferer every single day. By helping them to alleviate daily discomfort, practitioners can help improve their quality of life.

For more details, please visit Oraldent.co.uk, call 01480 862080 or email info@oraldent.co.uk

[i] Yang SE, Park YG, Han K, Min JA, Kim SY. Dental pain related to quality of life and mental health in South Korean adults. Psychol Health Med. 2016 Dec;21(8):981-92. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2015.1098781. Epub 2015 Oct 10. PMID: 26456324.

[ii] Loat S. Facts and Tips: Dry mouth. Oral Health Foundation. 2019. https://www.dentalhealth.org/blog/facts-and-tips-dry-mouth[Accessed November 2023]

[iii] Cannon I, Robinson-Barella A, McLellan G, Ramsay SE. From Drugs to Dry Mouth: A Systematic Review Exploring Oral and Psychological Health Conditions Associated with Dry Mouth in Older Adults with Polypharmacy. Drugs Aging. 2023 Apr;40(4):307-316. doi: 10.1007/s40266-023-01017-5. Epub 2023 Mar 21. PMID: 36943673.

[iv] Adolfsson A, Lenér F, Marklund B, Mossberg K, Çevik-Aras H. Prevalence of dry mouth in adult patients in primary health care. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2002: 80(8); 605-610 https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2022.2069282

[v] National Institute of dental and Craniofacial Research. Dry Mouth. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth#:~:text=Dry%20mouth%2C%20also%20called%20xerostomia,swallowing%2C%20and%20even%20talking%20difficult. [Accessed November 2023]

[vi] Mulligan R. Dental care for geriatric patients: xerostomia in elderly populations. Epidemiology. Herman Ostrow School of dentistry of USC. https://ostrowonline.usc.edu/dental-care-for-geriatric-patients-with-xerostomia/ [Accessed November 2023]

[vii] Ngo DYJ, Thomson WM. An Update on the Lived Experience of Dry Mouth in Sjögren’s Syndrome Patients. Front Oral Health. 2021 Nov 2;2:767568. doi: 10.3389/froh.2021.767568. PMID: 35048069; PMCID: PMC8757894.

[viii] Villa A, Connell CL, Abati S. Diagnosis and management of xerostomia and hyposalivation. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2014 Dec 22;11:45-51. doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S76282. PMID: 25653532; PMCID: PMC4278738.

[ix] Fox PC, Busch KA, Baum BJ. Subjective reports of xerostomia and objective measures of salivary gland performance. J Am Dent Assoc. 1987 Oct;115(4):581-4. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8177(87)54012-0. PMID: 3477595.

[x] Thomson WM, Chalmers JM, Spencer AJ, Williams SM. The Xerostomia Inventory: a multi-item approach to measuring dry mouth. Community Dent Health. 1999 Mar;16(1):12-7. PMID: 10697349.

[xi] Villa A, Connell CL, Abati S. Diagnosis and management of xerostomia and hyposalivation. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2014 Dec 22;11:45-51. doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S76282. PMID: 25653532; PMCID: PMC4278738.

[xii] Ito K, Izumi N, Funayama S, Nohno K, Katsura K, Kaneko N, Inoue M. Characteristics of medication-induced xerostomia and effect of treatment. PLoS One. 2023 Jan 12;18(1):e0280224. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280224. PMID: 36634078; PMCID: PMC9836311.

[xiii] Talha B, Swarnkar SA. Xerostomia. [Updated 2023 Mar 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545287/

[xiv] NHS. Dry Mouth. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-mouth/ [Accessed November 2023]

[xv] SHIP, J.A., MCCUTCHEON, J.A., SPIVAKOVSKY, S. and KERR, A.R. (2007). Safety and effectiveness of topical dry mouth products containing olive oil, betaine, and xylitol in reducing xerostomia for polypharmacy-induced dry mouth. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, [online] 34(10), pp.724–732. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17824884/#:~:text=No%20clinically%20significant%20adverse%20events,population%20with%20polypharmacy%2Dinduced%20xerostomia. [Accessed 1 Jun. 2023].

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About Initial Medical

Initial Medical set the standard in healthcare and infectious waste management in the UK, providing a reliable, effective and fully compliant service built around customer needs and delivered by our highly trained local teams.  We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited, with technology fully integrated into our operations, providing full traceability of service delivery, electronic waste documentation and the best customer experience possible. We also offer innovative healthcare waste management services and infection control products, to help break the chain of transmission and prevent cross contamination.  

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