What is Vinyl Polysiloxane?

Maybe you’re preparing detailed impressions for crowns, bridges, and/or implants and need high-quality material for accurate molds. Or, perhaps you’re working on denture fabrication and want to streamline the process.

Whatever the case, you can’t beat the workability and precision vinyl polysiloxane, or VPS, has to offer. This material also prioritizes patient comfort, ensuring as pleasant an experience as possible while they sit in your chair.

But what is vinyl polysiloxane? And what makes it a better material to the alternatives, like alginate impression material? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover everything you need to know about vinyl polysiloxane impression material below, including why our selection here at My DDS Supply is the best online.

Learn all about our VPS material and how it can elevate the productivity and standard of care in your practice today!

What is VPS Material?

So, what is vinyl polysiloxane material? Let’s start with an overview of its composition and properties before getting into common use cases.

This type of addition silicone is widely used in dentistry for making precise impressions. It’s known for excellent dimensional stability and high accuracy, making it an ideal material for capturing detailed impressions of teeth and gums.

The composition of VPS typically includes a base paste and a catalyst paste. The base paste contains a polymer with vinyl groups, while the catalyst paste contains a platinum salt. When the two are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs that results in a flexible, durable elastomer.

Here are some noteworthy properties that make it a great choice in modern dentistry:

Elasticity and Flexibility: This material can return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. This allows professionals to accurately capture the intricate details of dental structures without tearing or distorting.
Dimensional Stability: This ability ensures the impressions remain accurate even after several days, allowing for better planning and execution of dental restorations.
Hydrophilicity: VPS materials can capture accurate impressions even in the presence of moisture. This is essential in the oral cavity, where saliva and other fluids are present.
Tear Strength: You won’t have to stress about the impression tearing or breaking during removal from the mouth. Its durability maintains the integrity of the impression, preventing the frustrating need for retakes.
Working and Setting Times: You can choose the appropriate material based on the specific needs of the procedure. Quick-setting VPS materials can be beneficial for procedures requiring fast turnaround, while longer-setting options provide more working time for complex impressions.

We’ll expand on the practical benefits of this material for dentists momentarily. But first, what is VPS material used for in dental settings, exactly?

What is Vinyl Polysiloxane Used For?

So, what is vinyl polysiloxane most commonly used for? You know it’s essential for taking impressions, but what are those impressions then used for?

The applications of VPS range from crowns to bridges, orthodontics, dentures, and more. In saying that, this is one of the most versatile materials you can keep in your practice.

Detailed Impressions for Crowns, Bridges, and Implants

The material’s high accuracy and dimensional stability capture even the smallest details of the tooth structure. This precision is essential for producing crowns and bridges that fit perfectly, providing patients with comfortable, durable restorations.

Accurate impressions are critical for implants as well, ensuring the prosthetic components align correctly with the abutments and the surrounding teeth.

Orthodontic Impressions

VPS is also used in orthodontics to capture detailed impressions of the teeth and jaw structure. This helps in designing effective orthodontic appliances such as braces, retainers, and aligners.

The material’s elasticity allows it to model the complex anatomy of the dental arches without tearing or distorting, providing orthodontists with the precise models they need to plan effective treatments.

The dimensional stability of VPS ensures that the impressions remain accurate even if there is a delay between taking the impression and creating the orthodontic appliance.

Denture Fabrication

VPS is also used to create accurate molds of the edentulous (toothless) areas of the mouth. This facilitates the creation of dentures that fit snugly and comfortably, minimizing movement and enhancing function.

So whether you’re trying to learn how to make a temporary crown or you need to fit a patient before sending them to the orthodontist, you can’t go wrong with VPS. Let’s explore some more specific benefits this material has over alternative options below.

Advantages of Using Vinyl Polysiloxane in Dental Practice Over Alternative Materials

So, what is VPS material going to do in your practice to give you an edge as opposed to materials like alginate? We’ve praised its accuracy, but the usability and comfort it has to offer also set it apart.

Accuracy and Precision

The precision of VPS helps in reducing the need for adjustments and remakes, saving time and resources for both dental professionals and patients.

Its reliable performance ensures that crowns, bridges, and implants fit seamlessly, contributing to the overall success of dental procedures. You won’t have to deal with frustrating re-takes.

Patient Comfort

Patient comfort is a top priority in any dental procedure. There’s no denying the fact that taking impressions can be uncomfortable for patients, but VPS does a great job of minimizing discomfort.

The material sets quickly, reducing time in the patient's mouth. This is important for those who experience discomfort during impression-taking. VPS also has minimal taste and odor.

Plus, its elasticity allows for easy removal from the mouth without causing pain or discomfort, even in cases where the patient has sensitive oral tissues.

Ease of Use

From the dental professional’s perspective, the material is easy to mix and handle, providing a consistent and smooth texture that flows into all areas of the dental structure. This characteristic ensures that all critical details are captured without voids or bubbles.

VPS typically includes features like color change indicators, which help practitioners know when the material has reached different phases of the setting process, reducing guesswork and enhancing precision.

In this sense, you can take impressions faster and with less stress, maintaining peak productivity within your practice.

Sourcing VPS Material For Your Dental Practice

The advantages this material has to offer are clear. That being said, you need to choose the right vinyl polysiloxane to reap all its benefits. Look no further! We’ll help you source yours with confidence by showing you what to look for below.

What to Look for in Choosing Premium Dental Materials

Accuracy, durability, and ease of use are your top priorities in choosing your dental materials. High-quality VPS should offer excellent flow characteristics to capture precise details, high tear strength to prevent distortion during removal, and optimal hydrophilicity for accurate impressions in moist environments.

The setting time of the material should also be considered, as it can impact workflow efficiency and patient comfort. Be sure to choose materials that are easy to dispense and use, ensuring consistency and reliability in every procedure.

You’ll probably have budget restraints you’re trying to stay within as you source your materials, too. There’s definitely a lot to consider, but the stakes are too high to compromise or settle for anything less than the best on any of these aspects.

The good news? The best VPS material is just a few clicks away at My DDS Supply, your one-stop shop for premium dental supplies at competitive prices!

Why My DDS Supply is the Industry’s Trusted Choice

We are dedicated to providing dental professionals with the highest quality materials to enhance their practice and patient outcomes. Based in Southern California, we offer a factory-direct experience that ensures our customers receive the best prices without compromising on quality.

Fast Set Formula: Allows for quick and efficient procedures, saving time and improving patient comfort.
Excellent Flow and Detail Reproduction: Ensures accurate and detailed impressions for precise prosthetic work.
High Tear Strength and Elasticity: Provides reliable and durable impressions, minimizing the risk of distortion during removal.
Exceptional Hydrophilicity: Optimal moisture control for accurate impressions even in moist oral environments.
Easy-to-Use Cartridge Design: Designed for easy and mess-free dispensing, providing convenience and efficiency during the impression-taking process.

Our VPS impression materials are available in light body options for capturing fine details and ensuring precision in dental impressions or heavy body options for a focus on flow and reproduction accuracy.

You can also choose from a wide range of quantities depending on your budget and the scale of your practice. Order as few as 4 packs or as many as 60 for incredible savings! We even have the mixing tips you need to make the most of this material.

We know you came here to learn about VPS material, but this is just one of the many essential materials/supplies for your practice. Everything else you need to keep your operation running smooth, ensuring favorable patient outcomes and practice productivity, is here as well. Browse other popular categories we carry below:

We’re passionate about helping dental professionals streamline their sourcing so they can spend more time focusing on giving their patients the care they deserve. So, shop today and experience firsthand what makes our selection the #1 choice online!

Quick Tips on Using VPS Material in Your Impression Process

Here is a brief overview of actually using VPS material as part of your impression taking process before we wrap this guide up:

Choose the Right Type: Light body is ideal for fine details, while heavy body is better for bulk material application. You should keep both stocked in your practice.
Maintain Clean Workspaces: Ensure both the patient’s mouth and the impression tray are clean and free from debris to prevent contamination and ensure precision.
Use a Tray Adhesive: A thin layer of tray adhesive on the impression tray can improve the retention of the VPS material and minimize the risk of distortion.
Follow Mixing Instructions: Take note of recommended mixing ratios and times for optimal consistency and performance of the VPS material. Dental mixing tips ensure a homogeneous base and catalyst blend, reducing the risk of air bubbles.
Even Application: Apply the VPS material evenly into the impression tray, starting from the most important areas to avoid trapping air.
Intraoral Syringing: For detailed impressions, use an intraoral syringe to apply the light body VPS material directly onto the tooth surfaces, capturing fine details before placing the impression tray.
Monitor Setting Time: Avoid premature removal to ensure that the material is fully set, ensuring accuracy and detail retention.
Gentle Removal: Carefully remove the impression tray by rocking it gently to break the seal, reducing the risk of tearing or distorting the impression.
Immediate Inspection: Inspect the impression immediately after removal to ensure it captures all necessary details. Look for defects or voids that may compromise the accuracy. This way, you don’t have to call your patient later on and ask them to drive back down for another attempt.
Proper Storage: Avoid exposure to excessive heat or direct sunlight, which can alter the material properties and affect the accuracy.

When in doubt, consult the manufacturer in question. They can provide specific insights on using the VPS material to set you up for success and ensure favorable results.

Wrapping Up Our Beginner’s Guide to Vinyl Polysiloxane Impression Materials

So, what is VPS material? More specifically, what is vinyl polysiloxane used for, and what makes it better than other materials? You can’t beat the accuracy, ease of use, and reliability of this material when it comes to dental impressions.

From crowns to bridges, orthodontics to dentures, the applications for this material are vast. That’s why you need to keep it on hand, and there’s no better place to source yours than here at My DDS Supply.

Our blog has a wealth of additional resources if you’d like to learn more about dentistry. That includes what are temporary crowns made of, how long does dental cement last, how to make dental putty at home, how strong is dental cement, dental suctioning techniques, sterilization pouches sizes, how to mix alginate, and more.

Otherwise, experience unprecedented workability and accuracy in taking impressions with our premium VPS materials. Don’t settle for less than the best when it comes to the materials you use for your patients’ impressions!