Effect of chemical disinfection on the dimensional stability of dental impression materials: A systematic review

Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of immersion and spray disinfection on the dimensional stability of conventional dental impression materials.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive electronic search, conducted following the PRISMA framework, was performed across four databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, DOSS, and Cochrane Library) for studies published between 2010 and 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed in vitro and ex vivo studies assessing the effect of chemical disinfection by immersion or spray on alginate, addition silicones, condensation silicones, and polyether impression materials. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist.Results: Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Spray disinfection generally resulted in non-significant dimensional changes across all materials. Immersion in sodium hypochlorite at concentrations above 1% most frequently produced dimensional alterations, particularly in alginate impressions. Silicone-based and polyether materials exhibited higher dimensional stability regardless of the disinfection method.Conclusion: Spray disinfection appears to preserve dental impression dimensional stability more effectively than immersion. Disinfectant type, concentration, and exposure time are critical factors influencing dimensional stability. Clinicians should adhere to manufacturer recommendations to balance infection control with dental impression dimensional stability.