The future of impressions

by Gary M. Radz, DDS

Gather a group of dentists together and ask them about impression materials and you are in for an all day discussion about materials, techniques, delivery systems, physical properties, price, taste, waste, and laboratory preferences. Dentists are very demanding of their impression material and very loyal to their favorite techniques. Dentists are also always looking for a better impression material.

In most dental offices today you will find either a polyether or vinyl polysiloxane impression material. The accuracy, ease of use and efficiency of these materials has lead to the significant decrease of previous impression materials. In the ever-evolving world of dental materials it was only a matter of time before a new material was introduced into the impression material market that offers the benefits of both polyethers and vinyl polysiloxanes.

The Honigum® Impression material and it's MixStar delivery system by Zenith/DMG was recently introduced into the dental materials market. The material and delivery system together create a complete package system that is ideal for today's general dental practice. The Honigum material represents a unique and improved impression material. The MixStar mixing unit provides an improved system for delivering the impression material.

The Honigum impression material has a new patented chemistry that is based on vinyl polysiloxane technology. In this new chemistry includes the addition of a microcrystalline wax matrix. One of the beneficial physical properties of this new chemistry is the development of an impression material that has the ability to adjust its viscosity. As the impression is seated to place the Honigum impression material's viscosity will lower. This results in improved material flow to the critical margin areas of the preparation as the impression is being seated. This improved flow allows for the ability to take a highly accurate and detailed impression.

The Honigum system has been developed to be used for a variety of impression techniques. There is a neutral green monophase impression material for dentists who like to use monophase techniques. For those dentists who use the popular heavy body/wash technique there is a bright blue heavy body material that is used in combination with a canary yellow light body material. The monophase and heavy body materials come in cartridges that are mixed in the MixStar mixing unit. The light body material is dispensed in a lightweight, well-balanced automix dispensing gun. The color schemes of the materials were developed so that the clinician can easily determine the quality of the impression before sending it to the lab.

Zenith/DMG created the MixStar mixing unit to provide the dentist with an improved delivery system. The MixStar mixing machine uses a cartridge system that is inserted into the MixStar unit. Then by using either a one-touch button or the optional foot pedal the impression material is delivered at a constant speed providing a voidless mix of material that is quickly and easily loaded into the impression tray. The MixStar unit has a built-in timer, a cartridge placement sensor, and a cartridge plunger/reverse button for easy loading and dispensing. Additionally, the MixStar mixing tips have been engineered to eliminate 15 percent of the waste found in similar mixing systems.

The Honigum Impression system with its user friendly delivery system and it's accurate and detailed material is the ideal system for today's general dental practice.

Clinical Uses

In most general dental offices the most common procedure is a single unit crown. Many dentists have found that using a closed bite impression technique to be a quick, easy and accurate way to take an impression of a single unit preparation.

Using a quadrant tray, the heavy body impression material is loaded onto both sides of the tray. Honigum heavy body will not slump or drip making an excellent material for this technique. While the impression tray is being loaded, the yellow light body Honigum is injected around the preparation (Figure 1). As the impression is seated to place the pressure applied to the tray lowers the viscosity of the Honigum material allowing it to easily flow to critical marginal areas. The final impression shows excellent detail that is easy to read (Figure 2).

When taking an impression of the most posterior tooth (teeth) or multiple teeth in the arch many dentists prefer to take a full arch impression in order to insure accurate reproduction of the occlusal dimension. The MixStar is beneficial in the full arch technique because it is easy for the dental assistant to quickly and effortlessly load the impression tray.

The canary yellow light body material is extruded around the preparations. At the same time the dental assistant is effortlessly loading the full arch tray with the blue heavy body material. As the impression is seated to place the viscosity of the Honigum lowers to provide increase flow of the impression material (Figure 3). This unique property of the material results in excellent detail in the final impressions (Figure 4).

The most critical evaluators of impression materials are dental laboratory technicians. They demand a material that is accurate, stable, and can be poured multiple times if necessary. Scott Clark of Dental Arts Laboratory, Peoria, Illinois says, "From the laboratory point of view, the new Honigum Impression System from Zenith has proven to be a winner, providing an unbeatable combination of both consistent accuracy and working durability.

Zenith/DMG has created not only an excellent impression material but have developed a system that is user friendly and economically viable.

He has lectured internationally on esthetic materials and techniques. Write to Dr. Gary M. Radz, 999 18th St., Suite 235, Denver, CO 80202; call (303) 298-0182; or email: [email protected].

For more information, contact
Zenith/DMG
242 South Dean St.
Englewood, NJ 07631
(800) 662-6383
www.zenithdmg.com