Accurate impressions are the foundation of well-fitting crowns, bridges, dentures and implant restorations. This guide covers dental putty and other impression materials available in Australia, including VPS (vinyl polysiloxane) putty, light-body wash materials and bite registration, so you can choose the right material for each job.
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See our range of dental impression materials, putty and bite registration. All prices include GST, with Australia-wide delivery.
What Is Dental Putty?
Dental putty is a heavy-bodied impression material, usually a VPS (addition silicone). It comes as a base and catalyst that you knead together by hand or dispense from a cartridge. Putty is used in a stock tray to capture the overall shape of the arch, often with a lighter wash material on top to record fine detail.
Types of Impression Material
VPS Putty
VPS putty is dimensionally stable, tear-resistant and can usually be poured more than once. Examples include GC Exaflex putty, 3M Express VPS putty, hydrophilic VPS putty and the Sandent fast-set putty.
Light-Body and Wash Materials
Light-body VPS flows into margins and sulcus areas to capture fine detail. It is used with putty in a one-step or two-step technique. Kits such as the DMG Silagum VPS impression kit and our vinylpolysiloxane impression material cover common viscosities.
Bite Registration
Bite registration materials record how the teeth meet. They set quickly and firmly. See Occlufast Rock and our bite registration silicone with mixing tips.
How to Choose an Impression Material
Working and Setting Time
Fast-set materials save chair time for simple cases. Regular-set materials give you more working time for multiple preparations or full arches.
Hydrophilic Properties
Hydrophilic materials wet the tooth surface better in a moist mouth, which helps capture subgingival margins.
Hardness and Tear Strength
Harder putties hold the shape of the tray well. Tear strength matters when removing impressions with deep undercuts.
Trays and Adhesive
Use a rigid tray and tray adhesive so the material stays attached on removal. We stock Ivoclar Centric trays and GC tray adhesive.
Tips for Better Impressions
- Wear vinyl or nitrile gloves when mixing VPS putty. Some latex gloves can stop the material from setting.
- Mix base and catalyst until the colour is completely even.
- Keep the tray still until the material has fully set.
- Disinfect impressions before sending them to the lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between putty and light body?
Putty is thick and supports the impression in the tray. Light body is runny and records fine detail. They are often used together.
How long can I wait before pouring a VPS impression?
VPS is dimensionally stable, so it does not have to be poured immediately. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended time for the product you use.
Do you deliver impression materials across Australia?
Yes. We deliver Australia-wide. All prices include GST.
Browse our dental impression materials or contact us for help choosing a product.