Using Virtual® XD Materials for Accurate Final Impressions
Advanced system ensures details are captured right the first time
Impressions provide information about a patient’s dentition, anatomic form, and soft tissue relationship when planning dental restorations. By accurately capturing the details of the patient’s mouth, impressions serve as a tangible tool to create precise and detailed representations of the existing or anticipated new tooth structure.
A recently enhanced vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression material, Virtual® XD (Ivoclar Vivadent, www.ivoclarvivadent.us), streamlines the impression-taking process by making it both efficient and precise. Virtual XD combines the benefits of the original Virtual impression material with advances that make it ideal for any type of restoration impression. The “extra-definition” wash materials produce more accurate impressions for better fitting restorations while simultaneously minimizing the need for retakes.
The material’s advanced wetting ability and moisture displacement capabilities contribute to impressions that reproduce the precise details of both soft and hard tissues. With optimized flow characteristics, Virtual XD reaches into the sulcus with deeper penetration, completely covering preparation surfaces. In addition to optimized flow, its color coordination of orange/blue and yellow/blue improves readability of the margins. The new automatic impression material mixer for 380-mL cartridges features a designated mixing program with two dispensity speeds for an optimal, void-free mix. These characteristics ensure that every anatomic detail is captured the first time.
Four viscosities (eg, putty, heavy body, light body, and extra light body) are available to cover a full range of impression needs. Additionally, the tray and wash materials (in a minty scent for patient comfort) are available in fast and regular setting times. As a result, Virtual XD enhances the reliability of the impression-taking process for obtaining more accurate and anatomically correct impressions at any restorative phase.
Case Presentation
The patient presented with failing restorations in the posterior teeth (Figure 1). After a thorough examination, it was determined that new restorations were necessary to reinforce the remaining healthy tooth structure. A lithium disilicate material (IPS e.max®, Ivoclar Vivadent) was selected as most appropriate for the proposed onlay restorations. Lithium disilicate provides substantial support and strength for restorations planned for the posterior region while demonstrating natural tooth-like esthetics.
The shade of the anticipated restorations was selected prior to preparation. After the patient was anesthetized, the defective restorations were removed, the teeth were prepared, soft tissue was managed using Odyssey Navigator Diode laser (Ivoclar Vivadent) (Figure 2), and stump shade was confirmed. Once the preparations were completed, the patient was ready for impressions.
Virtual XD was selected for completing the impressions. A stock tray was lined with adhesive (Virtual VPS Tray Adhesive) (Figure 3). The Virtual XD Light Body (Fast Set) wash was injected around the prepared teeth with the intraoral tip immersed within the wash material (Figure 4). Simultaneously, the dental assistant loaded the impression tray with Virtual XD 380 Heavy Body (Fast Set) using a Virtual Mixer (Figure 5). Once the tray was loaded with heavy body material, it was seated in the patient’s mouth, even pressure was applied, and the impression was allowed to set for 2.5 minutes. The impression was then checked for set and removed from the patient’s mouth (Figure 6).
The master impression was checked extra-orally to verify duplication of the preparation details necessary for fabricating accurately fitting restorations. To facilitate the best fit, the light body area was examined thoroughly (Figure 7). After fabrication in the laboratory, the lithium disilicate restorations were definitively placed (Figure 8).
Conclusion
Impressions must be accurate and precise for dentists to provide laboratory technicians with proper and sufficiently detailed information for fabricating indirect restorations. Virtual XD enables dentists and their team members to capture detailed and durable impressions that preserve margins, detect fine anatomic details, and maintain their stability. Virtual XD materials are ideal for any type of impression—whether diagnostic or master—thereby helping to ensure a predictable restoration throughout the fabrication process.
For more information, contact:
Ivoclar Vivadent
800-533-6825
www.ivoclarvivadent.us
About the Author
Jason Olitsky, DMD, AAACD
Immediate Past President
Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Tallahassee, Florida
Director of Esthetics with Clinical Mastery Series
Accredited Member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
