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Silicone is one of the most widely used impression materials for fixed and removable dental prostheses, such as crowns and bridges. There are two main types of silicone impression. These are addition silicone, often shortened to a-silicone, and condensation silicone, often shorted to c-silicone. The two materials share many similarities but also some key differences that are essential to understand in order to best decide which one to use.
How Are Addition Silicone and Condensation Silicone Different?
The key difference between addition silicone and condensation silicone is in how they are formed. This is what gives the products their own unique advantages and disadvantages. As the names suggest, condensation silicone forms from a condensation chemical reaction while addition silicone forms from an addition chemical reaction. Though both products are created when a base paste mixes with an accelerator paste, the chemical reactions take place at different speeds and temperatures because of their different compositions.
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