effect of storage time and temperature on dimensional stability of impressions made with zinc oxide impression paste

Objectives: this study aimed to assess the effect of storage time and temperature on dimensional stability of impressions made with cavex outline zinc oxide impression paste. materials and methods: a round stainless steel mold with five grooves (three horizontal and two vertical) was used in this in-vitro experimental study. cavex outline impression paste was prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applied to the mold. the mold was placed on a block and stored at 35°c and 100% humidity for setting. the impressions were poured with stone immediately and also after 30, 120, 240 and 420 minutes and 24 hours. the distance between the vertical lines on the casts was measured and compared with that in the immediately poured cast. results: storage in a refrigerator and at room temperature for zero to seven hours had no significant effect on dimensional stability of the impressions; however, 24 hours of storage in a refrigerator or at room temperature decreased the dimensional stability of cavex outline (p=0.001). also, a significant association was found between dimensional changes following 24 hours of storage in a refrigerator (4°c) and at room temperature (23°c; p<0.01). conclusions: the optimal pouring time of cavex outline impressions with stone is between zero to seven hours, and 24 hours of storage significantly decreases the dimensional stability.