DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY AND TEAR STRENGTH OF IMPRESSION MATERIALS. A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VPS AND ALGINATE.

Impression materials are crucial in restorative and prosthetic dentistry for obtaining accurate replicas of teeth and surrounding tissues. The accuracy and stability of these impressions directly impact the fit and function of dental restorations. This comparative study focuses on two commonly used impression materials: vinyl polysiloxane (VPS), an addition silicone, and alginate, a hydrocolloid, and evaluates their physical and chemical properties to determine their suitability for various clinical applications. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparison between VPS and alginate, focusing on the key physical and chemical properties that influence their performance, such as dimensional stability, setting time, hydrophilicity, elastic recovery, and tear strength. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the quality of dental care by ensuring that the most appropriate impression material is chosen for each patient and procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]