Wettability of nonaqueous elastomeric impression materials.

The wettability of eight nonaqueous elastomeric impression materials was studied by comparing their contact angles. The materials included three polyethers (one of which was light activated), three hydrophilic poly(vinyl siloxanes), one conventional poly(vinyl siloxane), and one poly(vinyl siloxane) putty. Extracted teeth were prepared to approximate the roughness of a tooth preparation. Contact angles were measured at different time intervals after the start of mixing but were not shown to be significant. The nonhydrophilic poly(vinyl siloxane) materials and the poly(vinyl siloxane) putty were found to be significantly less wettable.