Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 116, Issue 3, 371-375
Copyright © 1988 by American Dental Association
The setting of vinyl polysiloxane and condensation silicone putties when mixed with gloved hands
CD Reitz
and
NP Clark
Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Florida, College of Dentistry, JHMHC, Gainesville, FL 32610-0415.
Neither the vinyl nor the latex gloves tested affected any of the condensation silicone putties tested. The vinyl gloves tested had no effect on any of the vinyl polysiloxane putties. Some brands of latex gloves as received from the distributor caused severe retardation or complete inhibition of setting in most vinyl polysiloxane putties; other brands of latex gloves affected the setting in the vinyl polysiloxane putties to varying degrees. Washing the latex gloves decreased the effect of inhibition of setting on the putty but did not eliminate it. Thus, latex gloves should not be worn while mixing or handling vinyl polysiloxane putties. Putties should not be dispensed while wearing latex gloves as the entire jar can become contaminated. If gloves are removed to mix the putty, hands should be washed thoroughly; however, this violates the barrier technique and is not recommended. Vinyl gloves may be worn over latex gloves (or by themselves), for dispensing and mixing the putty; but the vinyl gloves should not be contaminated with powder from the latex gloves. To assure compatibility, the putty/glove combination should always be checked.