Their superior dimensional accuracy, elastic recovery, and long-term stability make them indispensable for indirect restorations, implantology, and fixed prosthetics.
In the past seven years, research has also highlighted advancements in hybrid materials that combine the strengths of PVS and polyethers, offering clinicians even greater flexibility.
Clinical Advantages of PVS
★ Exceptional Dimensional Accuracy
PVS impressions can reproduce details of less than 20 microns, ensuring a precise transfer from the oral cavity to the laboratory cast. Recent studies confirm that PVS continues to outperform other elastomers in maintaining accuracy, even after storage and transportation.
★ High Elastic Recovery
With recovery rates greater than 99%, PVS can withstand removal from undercuts and return to its original dimensions with minimal permanent deformation. This reliability ensures consistent results, particularly in complex cases.
★ Long-Term Dimensional Stability
Unlike condensation silicones, PVS does not release by-products during polymerization, which prevents shrinkage and allows impressions to remain dimensionally accurate for several days. This advantage facilitates safe disinfection and laboratory transfer without compromising quality.
★ Tear Resistance and Handling
PVS shows excellent tear strength, reducing the risk of tearing at gingival margins or in interproximal areas. In addition, color-coded working and setting phases (chromatic PVS) guide the clinician during impression taking.
► DENTAL MATERIALS: Clinical Applications for Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists - W. Stephan Eakle and Kimberly G. Bastin (2025)
Challenges and Innovations
★ Hydrophobic Nature
Traditional PVS is hydrophobic, requiring meticulous moisture control during impression procedures. To address this, manufacturers have introduced hydrophilic formulations by adding surfactants, improving wettability and surface detail reproduction under moist conditions.
★ Disinfection and Sterilization
Clinical studies have shown that PVS maintains its dimensional stability after immersion disinfection or microwave sterilization. This makes it both safe and reliable in infection control protocols without compromising accuracy.
★ Fast-Setting Variants
New formulations reduce chair time while maintaining all the mechanical advantages of conventional PVS. These fast-setting versions are particularly beneficial in pediatric, geriatric, and special care dentistry.
► VIDEO: Managing Extremely Deep Margins: Advanced Clinical Solutions for a Complex Restorative Challenge
Emerging Hybrid Materials: VPES and VSE
Vinyl Polyether Silicone (VPES) combines the dimensional accuracy of PVS with the hydrophilicity of polyether. It demonstrates excellent tensile strength, reliable handling, and improved performance in moist environments.
Vinyl Siloxanether (VSE) offers greater wettability and disinfection resilience, with some studies showing superior accuracy under challenging clinical conditions compared to traditional PVS.
These innovations are not intended to replace PVS entirely but provide alternative solutions for cases involving high humidity, deep sulci, or implant-level impressions where hydrophilicity is critical.
Conclusion
Over the last decade, addition silicones (PVS) have maintained their position as the most reliable impression material in dentistry.
Their precision, elastic recovery, and stability continue to set the benchmark for prosthodontic and restorative procedures.
However, the development of hybrid elastomers such as VPES and VSE has expanded clinical options, offering improved hydrophilicity and resilience to disinfection protocols.
For clinicians, the choice should be guided by the clinical scenario: PVS for unmatched accuracy and stability, and hybrids for situations demanding enhanced hydrophilicity and flexibility.
Staying updated with these innovations ensures predictable results and better patient outcomes.
