Beyond Vinyl Polysiloxane Impressions: The Many Uses of VPS in Restorative Procedures

Because of many favorable physical properties and characteristics, vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression materials are today’s standard for routine fixed prosthodontic treatment and for definitive impressions for orthodontic diagnosis and aligner design. VPS materials also provide a wide variety of choices in viscosities that allow for an array of clinical techniques, enabling these materials to be used in applications that go beyond impression-making. This article examines several of these expanded uses of VPS that enhance the way clinicians practice dentistry.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Discuss the history of vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) materials and their role in impression-making.

• Describe other restorative uses for VPS materials, including bite registration, provisional restoration templates, and splint blockouts.

• Explain how VPS materials can be used in certain situations as a problem-solving option.

About the Author

Howard E. Strassler, DMD
Professor and Director of Operative Dentistry, University of Maryland School of Dental Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland