Clinical evaluation of the accuracy of interocclusal recording materials.

The importance of accurate, reliable recording mediums cannot be understated. Function and esthetics are directly related to this critical step. Dental recording materials must be accurate, easily manipulated, and economical for effective use. Five types of intraoral records of 31 patients were registered and placed on an arcon, semiadjustable articulator to measure the magnitude and direction of distortion. The results were the following. Polyether interocclusal recording medium without a carrier was the most accurate. Polyether and zinc oxide-eugenol pastes with carriers were the next most accurate recording mediums, but they required a disciplined technique. Recording waxes were consistently unreliable. Distortion occurred more frequently in a vertical direction, followed by an anteroposterior direction.