Clinical implications of resilient denture lining material research. Part II: Gelation and flow properties of tissue conditioners.

The clinical effectiveness of tissue conditioners and functional impression materials is influenced by their gelation and flow properties. Laboratory tests were previously conducted that simulated the conditions of clinical use to the extent possible on six commercial intraoral-gelling resilient denture liners. The liners were found to vary significantly in their gelation times and to flow throughout the 7-day study. Their initial flow after mixing was influenced most by the time of loading. While extrapolations to the clinical environment require caution, the results of this study imply that the dentist should (1) adapt clinical techniques to the gelation times of particular materials, (2) reduce the initial flow of some materials by delaying denture placement on the supporting mucosa, and (3) expect the materials to be effective tissue conditioners for at least 7 days.