Polyether Hydrophilicity — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyDental MaterialsPolyether HydrophilicityMFDS Part 1

Which elastomeric impression material is intrinsically hydrophilic and is most likely to retain satisfactory surface-detail reproduction when the prepared surface is moist?

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Correct answer: D — Polyether

Polyether is the correct answer. It exhibits pronounced initial hydrophilicity during its working time and has demonstrated reliable surface-detail reproduction under moist conditions. Conventional addition silicone is intrinsically hydrophobic; surfactant-modified products may have improved wettability, but they are not represented by option B. Condensation silicone is also hydrophobic and is additionally affected by dimensional change from volatile by-product loss. Impression compound is a thermoplastic, relatively low-detail material rather than a hydrophilic elastomer. Impression plaster is water-based and can reproduce detail, but it is a rigid, non-elastomeric material and therefore does not satisfy the stem.

Reference: Singer L, Habib SI, Shalaby HEA, Saniour SH, Bourauel C. Digital assessment of properties of the three different generations of dental elastomeric impression materials. BMC Oral Health. 2022;22:379. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36064393/