new techniquesgc america

Over many years of clinical experi-ence I have found the VPS and PE ma-terials to offer adequate dimensionalaccuracy, tear strength, flow and mar-ginal detail with the choice based onindividual case considerations. In myexperience, EX~lence (VPES) offerssuperior flow and detail comparedto VPS, which is attributable to theinherent hydrophilicity of VPES, aswell as excellent dimensional accu-racy, tear resistance and elasticity. Ihave found it is easier to remove fromthe patient's mouth after setting thanImpregum (PE) due to its elasticity,providing for greater patient comfort.My patients have also found the tasteand odor more acceptable than PE.E~lence is available in Regular andFast Set in five viscosities (heavy,

The step-by-step cases below showthe ease in obtaining reliable andreproducible, anatomically accuratedetails and results using EX~lence.

CASE 1For this patient, it was determinedthat crowns were required on teethnumbers 19 and 20. Due to esthet-ic and functional considerations,we decided to place a full cast goldcrown on tooth number 19 and aPFM crown on tooth number 20.

After the preparations were com-pleted (figs.1A-B), tissue retrac-tion was performed and hemosta-sis and moisture control obtainedusing Expasyl, a viscous paste con-taining aluminum chloride that

(VPES), full impression in a cus-tom tray using EX~lence (VPES)Heavy Body and a full impres-sion in a custom tray with Aqua-sil (VPS). It appeared from theimpressions that all three methodsprovided accurate results. (figs 2A-C) Additionally, on examinationof the completed dies and models(figs. 3A-E), it was clear that allthree provided sufficient accuracy,but also that the impressions takenwith EXA'lence resulted in the cap-ture of finer details.

After completing and fitting thetemporary crowns, the patient wasdismissed and given an appoint-ment for final restoration place-ment. At the seat appointment,

"In my experience, EXA'lence (VPES) offers superior flow and detail compared toVPS, which is attributable to the inherent hydrophilicity of VPES,as well as excellentdimensional accuracy, tear resistance and elasticity."

heavy body rigid, monophase, extralight and light) in the hand-dispens-ing gun cartridge. E~lence alsocomes in 370mL mixing machinecartridges in heavy body and mono-phase, also in regular or fast set.

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gently retracts the tissue. For thepurposes of comparison, my pa-tient agreed to have impressionsand restorations made using threedifferent techniques: full impres-sion in a stock tray with EXA'lence

the patient reported she had ex-perienced no problems with thetemporaries in the interim. Afterthese were removed, all three setsof restorations (fig. 4) were tried,without the use of cement, to check

for marginal and dimensional ac-curacy. The crowns derived fromthe stock tray EXA'lence impression

. technique were found to be as ac-curate in marginal and dimensionalaccuracy as the crowns derived from

. the custom tray EXA'lence impres-sion technique. The crowns madeusing EXA'lence were more accuratein fine marginal detail compared tocrowns developed from VPS andwhen the bite was checked requiredno occlusal adjustment versus veryminor occlusal adjustment.

CASE 2In this case, the patient required afull cast gold crown on tooth num-ber 30. After preparation, tissue re-traction, hemostasis and moisturecontrol, separate sets of impressionswere taken using both Impregumand EXA'lence. The models anddies were poured, two crowns fab-ricated using separate dies from thetwo impression techniques and thecrowns compared.

During impression taking, the pa-tient experienced less discomfortwith EXA'lence upon its removalfrom his mouth and commentedthat the taste was better than withPE. The easier removal of the im-pression was due to EXA'lence notbeing as rigid (figs. SA-C). Bothimpression techniques resulted inaccurate impressions and crownmargins, and the crowns seated andfitted exactly.

SUMMARYThe new impression materialEXA'lence has combined the bestbenefits of VPS and PE materials.From my personal clinical experi-ence, this new chemistry offers ex-cellent flow and accuracy, a morepleasant patient experience and is ahighly reliable and accurate impres-sion material .•

SOURCEI-Samet ,Shofat M, Livny A, Weiss EI. Aclinical evaluation of fixed partial denture im-pressions. J Prosthet Dent 2005; 94:112-117.

new techniquesgc america

LAWRENCE W. KOLAR, DDS has practiced in Chicagosince 1982. A graduate of the University of Illinois Col-lege of Dentistry. He taught Oral Anatomy for 22 years inthe Oral Biology Department. He is an examiner for theCentral Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS)and theNortheastern Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB).

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