The Impact of Shelf-Life and Storage Conditions on the Accuracy and Performance of Additional Silicone Impression Materials: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Recently, silicone-based impressions have been continuously adopted owing to their excellent elastomeric properties associated with accuracy and detail in reproducing oral structures. The dimensional stability of impression materials is essential for maintaining the accuracy of the impressions obtained. Therefore, it is critical to understand the influence of shelf life and storage conditions on the dimensional stability of impressions. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to critically appraise evidence of the impact of shelf-life and storage conditions on the accuracy and performance of additional silicone impression materials.

A comprehensive database search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect. Eligible articles were selected and assessed for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies. Data were systematically extracted and analyzed.

The search process identified 1,105 potential articles, from which 17 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. Through systematic extraction and data analysis, dimensional changes following storage were observed. However, these changes did not attain statistical significance across individual studies. Furthermore, material-specific variations in dimensional alterations were noted. Additionally, the evaluation of tensile bond strength indicated a reduction over the storage period.

The results showed different dimensional, chemical, and physical property changes in silicone with storage. In addition, storage conditions like temperature significantly affect silicone impressions’ dimensional stability and performance. However, more recent empirical research should be carried out on the long-term effects of different storage conditions for a more comprehensive understanding of silicone’s response to extended storage durations.