Comparative Evaluation of the Rheological Properties, upon Addition of Water, of Three Commercially Available Zinc Oxide Eugenol Impression Materials

Abstract

BACKGROUND Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) impression paste is commonly used for secondary impression. Water acts as an accelerator to zinc oxide eugenol paste. Study was carried out to determine its flow property and the effect of addition of water on flow properties for different commercially available zinc oxide eugenol impression pastes. We wanted to compare and evaluate the flow properties of ZOE impression paste without water and after addition of water as an accelerator for three different commercially available zinc oxide eugenol impression pastes. METHODS Three commercially available zinc oxide eugenol impression pastes used were - DPI (Dental Product of India), Neogenate (Septodont), IMAGE (Prime Dental Pro.Ltd). A total of 15 discs were made without accelerator and with addition of 1, 2 and 3 drops of water for the three brands of the zinc oxide eugenol paste. Then the flow of each was tested. Data of flow was analysed using one way- ANOVA and post hoc test. RESULTS It was found that the mean flow of zinc oxide eugenol impression paste without the use of accelerator for DPI, Septodont, Image was 4.72 ± 0.56, 4.20 ± 0.75, and 3.50 ± 0.57 respectively. The mean flow of zinc oxide eugenol impression paste with the use of one drop of accelerator for DPI, Septodont, Image was 4.98 ± 0.3493, 4.54 ± 0.6025, and 3.940 ± 0.4722 respectively. With the use of two and three drops of accelerator for DPI was 4.18 ± 0.7259 and 2.68 ± 0.3701, for Septodont was 3.880 ± 0.6907 and 2.32 ± 0.2775 and for Image flow was 3.20 ± 0.5745 and 1.80 ± 0.4000. CONCLUSIONS DPI had the maximum flow as compared to other brands of zinc oxide eugenol impression paste. KEY WORDS Zinc Oxide Eugenol, Impression Material, Flow, and Accelerator