Express™ XT VPS Impression Materials

Starting with a Close Look at Dentists’ Needs

40 Years of Experience in Impressioning
As the world market leader for impression materials 3M ESPE is renowned for its innovative solutions. Since the introduction of the first impression material more than 40 years ago, 3M ESPE has continuously improved and enlarged its product portfolio: Polyether and VPS impression materials meet virtually all customer needs and preferences, ranging from different impression techniques and indications to delivery choices.

The next VPS Generation Sets the Stage for High Accuracy
Based on an advanced VPS formula, Express™ XT VPS Impression Materials, the next generation of VPS from 3M ESPE, sets the stage for uncompromising impression accuracy and a great fit of indirect restorations. In a variety of viscosities – from putty to ultra-light body – Express XT VPS Impression Materials offer essential benefits for the 1-step and 2-step technique. All Express XT tray materials are mixed automatically in the Pentamix™ 3 Mixing Unit. Express XT wash materials are very hydrophilic and show great flow properties. The new products have a high elongation potential and excellent tensile strength to minimize the risk of tearing and distortions upon removal. Beyond that, they recover nearly 100 % from deformations

Focus on Clinically Important Characteristics
The development of Express XT VPS Impression Materials was based on a close look at all the clinically relevant properties an impression materials needs to generate reliable accuracy, also in challenging clinical situations.

Meets All Requirements of Dental Practice and Lab
Express XT VPS Impression Materials provide a first-class foundation for accurately fitting restorations – saving time and increasing comfort for dentist, dental technician and patient. This has been confirmed by 3M ESPE internal comparative tests where Express XT VPS Impression Materials showed their winning combination of clinically relevant properties over other leading VPS Impression Materials.

The 3M ESPE Express™ XT Material Guide for all Tray and Wash Materials.

Express™ XT for Uncompromising Impression Accuracy

Captures Tooth and Preparation Margin in Detail

Enhanced Hydrophilicity and Great Flow Properties
To capture all relevant aspects of the prepared teeth and their margins, very good hydrophilicity and flowability of the impression material are essential. The enhanced hydrophilicity of Express XT VPS Impression Materials contributes to very good detail reproduction even in moist environments. In comparative contact angle measurement tests Express XT wash materials exhibited an outstanding hydrophilicity compared to all the other VPS materials tested.

Contact angle comparison of VPS impression materials (set stage). Express™ XT VPS Impression Materials shows the fastest decrease in contact angle and therefore outstanding hydrophilicity among all leading VPS impression materials tested. Source: 3M ESPE internal data

Additionally Express XT wash materials shows outstanding flow properties to ensure optimal coverage of the preparation surface areas.

Flow to tooth and gingiva of Express™ XT Light Body Flow (green) and Express™ XT Light Body Standard (lavender) wash materials. The more flowable Express XT Light Body Flow creates a very smooth surface, whereas Express XT Light Standard exhibits more structure.

Distortion-Free Removal from Mouth

Toughness: The Potential to Resist Tearing!
To avoid tearing while the set impression is removed from the mouth, an impression material does not only need to have high tensile strength but also a high elongation potential that allows the material to stretch.
The combination of these two parameters is described as toughness. Toughness can be easily explained by comparison with a bunjee jumper who has to rely on his rope. The rope needs to elongate but must not tear.
In comparison with different VPS wash materials, Express™ XT Light Body Standard VPS Impression Material displays high values for toughness, as this figure shows. Clinically this means that Express XT impressions are less likely to tear upon removal from the mouth than other leading VPS impression materials.

Toughness values for different VPS wash materials of same setting version (regular) and comparable viscosity. Express™ XT Light Body Standard exhibits noticeably higher toughness values than Aquasil Ultra LV, President Plus Jet light and Affinis Regular Body. Source: 3M ESPE internal data

A distortion-free impression also requires an impression material with high recovery from deformation upon mouth removal.

Regaining the Original Shape in Every Dimension

The results of a 3M ESPE internal comparative study on the recovery from elongation after 150 % stretching demonstrate the superb performance of an Express XT VPS Impression Material — it recovers nearly 100 %. Impression materials with considerably lower recovery after elongation like Aquasil™ Ultra LV, may experience a permanent deformation, potentially leading to a poor fit of restorations.