The effect of latex gloves on setting time of vinyl polysiloxane putty impression material.

Vinyl polysiloxane putty impression material (VPPIM) setting is unreliable when mixed in gloved hands. The exact reason for this remains obscure. This report focuses on the effect of natural and synthetic latex gloves on the setting of VPPIMs. This report indicates that synthetic latex gloves (SLG) have no effect on setting reaction of VPPIMs. However, natural latex gloves (NLG) significantly delay the setting reaction (P less than 0.05). Manufacturers should take note of this and supply SLGs for mixing. Dentists contemplating the use of VPPIMs should take these findings into consideration.