Static and dynamic evaluations of the wettability of commercial vinyl polysiloxane impression materials for artificial saliva

This study evaluated the wettability of commercial vinyl polysiloxane impression materials by measuring contact angles on horizontal and non-horizontal surfaces using artificial saliva. Three light bodies (Affinis [Affi], Silagum [Sila] and Variotime [Vario-LB]) and one extra light body (Viriotime [Vario-ELB]) were prepared with flat surfaces. Static and dynamic contact angles were measured using the sessile drop method as a function of time. Contact angle hysteresis was the value of advancing contact angle minus receding contact angle. The results indicated that all materials were classified as hydrophilic materials. Vario-ELB and Affi showed better initial wettability than the other two materials. Vario-ELB showed more hydrophilic properties and was more vulnerable to changes in the intraoral environment compared to Affi, Sila and Vario-LB. These results suggest that measuring the time-dependent dynamic contact angle on the inclined surface can provide effective information regarding the wettability of impression materials to evaluate their clinical performance.