One of the most important aspects of delivering an excellent and precise-fitting fixed prosthesis, without distortion, is making an accurate impression free of voids, bubbles, and tears of the preparation. Impregum Penta Soft Medium Body and Impregum Garant Soft Light Body, products of 3M ESPE, are meant to make impressions easier and hassle-free for dentists.
Impregum Penta Soft Medium Body is a medium bodied consistency polyether impression material and is used with the mixing device Pentamix (also manufactured by 3M ESPE). This material is packed in bags that are sealed with a PentaMatic sealing cap. The PentaMatic sealing cap automatically opens the bag once sufficient pressure is established by the plunger of the Pentamix mixing unit. The polybags have to be used exclusively with Penta Mixing Tips Red.
Impregum Garant Soft Light Body is a light-bodied consistency polyether impression material supplied in the Garant cartridge. The Garant Soft Light Body is dispensed with the use of Garant Mixing Tip White and Garant Intraoral Tip White in a gun dispenser.
Impressions can be taken either in rigid non-perforated metal trays or custom plastic trays. A thin layer of Polyether Adhesive has to be applied to the tray for sufficient adhesion. Ideally, the adhesive should be left to dry for 15 minutes, and the minimum time should be 30 to 60 seconds.
These impression materials can be used for Inlay/onlay, crown and bridge preparations, functional impressions, and implant impressions. I personally use them for inlay/onlay and crown and bridge preparations only. Both the materials can be used individually in a one step technique, but I prefer using the one-step/two-viscosity technique since the light body gives much more precision and accuracy to the impressions.
I have used other impression materials and many times have had to retake impressions because of some small discrepancy. But, since I started using Impregum, my incidences of retaking impressions have gone down considerably. In situations where complete isolation is hard to get, as in lower first and second molars, Impregum is a good material to consider because of its hydrophilic nature.
Preparations with very small undercuts can also be impressed with Impregum, with low chances of a tear in the impression due to the materials’ low shore hardness (as claimed by the manufacturer). I find them easier to remove from patients’ mouths as compared to other impression materials, and they are better tasting, which leads to a higher patient satisfaction and compliance.
As with any product, there are pros and cons. Impregum requires a lot of extra exclusive paraphernalia like the mixing unit Pentamix and exclusive mixing tips, which increases the overhead costs for any dental office. Impressions with Impregum have to be taken with an experienced assistant at hand to load the medium body from the mixing unit onto the tray. The dental/assistant team has to be efficient and quick, since time lost can hamper the setting time of the impression material and give a distorted impression.
To conclude, Impregum should be considered in conditions where moisture is a problem and in preparations where minor undercuts are present to provide efficient, precise dentistry to our patients.
Review Synopsis
Product
3M ESPE Impregum Impression Material
The Good
Can be used in situations where complete isolation is a problem and in cases where minor undercuts are present. Better taste and easier to remove from patients’ mouths.
The Bad
Extensive paraphernalia required, which increases overhead costs.
The Bottom Line
Accurate impressions obtained, which helps to deliver precise fitting prosthesis.