Top 10 Impression Tray Adhesives in Dentistry

Genie®-VPS-Tray-Adhesive-Refill-14-ml-Bottle
TABLE OF CONTENT

Table 1: Comparison of product size and package quantity

ProductPackage QuantitySize
VPS Tray Adhesive1/Pkg17 ml
Caulk® VPS Tray Adhesive1/Pkg14 ml
Patterson® Aerosol Alginate Tray Adhesive1/Pkg3.5 oz
Polyether Tray AdhesiveN/A17 ml
Patterson® Liquid Tray Adhesive2/Pkg0.5 oz
Universal VPS Adhesive1/Pkg7 ml
Hold™ Tray AdhesiveN/AN/A
TAC™ Tray Adhesive CompoundN/AN/A
Genie® VPS Tray Adhesive1/Pkg14 ml
Coltene VPS Tray Adhesive1/Pkg10 ml

Table 2: Comparison of key features and indications

ProductKey Features and Indications
VPS Tray AdhesiveBonds between impression trays and VPS impression materials
Caulk® VPS Tray AdhesiveEnhances adhesion of VPS impression materials to rigid stock metal or plastic, custom acrylic, and double-arch type impression trays
Patterson® Aerosol Alginate Tray AdhesiveUsed to hold alginate impression material in the impression tray securely
Polyether Tray AdhesiveEnsures adhesion between polyether impression material and the impression tray. Indicated for use with all metal trays and custom methacrylate trays.
Patterson® Liquid Tray AdhesiveSecurely holds alginate in the tray when the impression is removed from the patient’s mouth
Universal VPS AdhesiveAssists in the administration of impression materials and ensures they remain in the tray during removal
Hold™ Tray AdhesiveProvides strong and consistent retention of impression materials
TAC™ Tray Adhesive CompoundSecurely holds the alginate in the tray when the impression is removed from the patient’s mouth. Alcohol-based for faster drying and easier clean-up.
Genie® VPS Tray AdhesiveUsed with Genie® VPS Impression Material to produce remarkably detailed and precise impressions every time
Coltene VPS Tray AdhesiveUniversal adhesive for silicone-based dental impression materials. Serves as an adhesive bonding agent between the impression material and the impression tray.

Table 3: Comparison of shelf life and manufacturer

ProductManufacturerShelf Life
VPS Tray Adhesive3MN/A
Caulk® VPS Tray AdhesiveCaulk®N/A
Patterson® Aerosol Alginate Tray AdhesivePatterson®N/A
Polyether Tray AdhesiveN/ADecreased from 36 months to 24 months
Patterson® Liquid Tray AdhesivePatterson®N/A
Universal VPS AdhesiveN/AN/A
Hold™ Tray AdhesiveWater Pik TechnologiesN/A
TAC™ Tray Adhesive CompoundKeystone IndustriesN/A
Genie® VPS Tray AdhesiveGenie®N/A
Coltene VPS Tray AdhesiveColteneN/A

Top 10 Dental Impression Materials


1. VPS Tray Adhesive

VPS Tray Adhesive, 17 ml Bottle

Product Description

VPS Tray Adhesive by 3M is designed to ensure a secure bond between impression trays and vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression materials. This adhesive helps eliminate displacement or distortion during removal, ensuring highly accurate dental impressions.

Product Overview

Formulated for use with VPS materials, this adhesive enhances the adhesion of the impression material to metal or plastic trays. Its fast-drying formula is easy to apply and ensures optimal tray retention throughout the procedure.

Key Features

  • Creates a strong, reliable bond between trays and VPS materials
  • Reduces risk of impression distortion during tray removal
  • Compatible with metal and plastic impression trays
  • Quick and easy application
  • Ideal for precision dental impression techniques

Common Applications

  • Use with VPS impression materials
  • Securing impression material to custom or stock trays
  • Crown, bridge, and implant impression procedures

Technical Specifications

  • Product Type: Tray Adhesive
  • Compatible Material: Vinyl polysiloxane (VPS)
  • Size: 17 ml
  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Manufacturer: 3M

Customer Ratings

4.9/5 from prosthodontists and general dentists

Customer Feedback

  • Reliable adhesion—my impressions stay put every time.
  • Fast drying and easy to apply.

2. Caulk® VPS Tray Adhesive

Caulk® VPS Tray Adhesive, 14 ml Bottle

Product Description

Caulk VPS Tray Adhesive is formulated to improve the bond between vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression materials and a variety of tray types. It helps ensure impressions stay firmly attached to the tray during and after removal from the mouth, minimizing distortion.

Product Overview

This adhesive is compatible with rigid stock metal, plastic, custom acrylic, and double-arch trays. Its strong adhesion properties contribute to the accuracy and reliability of the final impression, making it ideal for restorative and prosthodontic procedures.

Key Features

  • Enhances adhesion between VPS materials and tray surfaces
  • Compatible with metal, plastic, custom acrylic, and double-arch trays
  • Helps prevent distortion during tray removal
  • Supports consistent and accurate impression results
  • Easy-to-use brush-on application

Common Applications

  • Securing VPS material in custom or stock trays
  • Crown and bridge impression procedures
  • Use in both single- and double-arch tray techniques

Technical Specifications

  • Product Type: Tray Adhesive
  • Compatible Material: Vinyl polysiloxane (VPS)
  • Tray Compatibility: Metal, plastic, acrylic, double-arch
  • Size: 14 ml
  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Brand: Caulk®

Customer Ratings

4.8/5 from restorative and prosthetic dental professionals

Customer Feedback

  • Excellent retention with all tray types.
  • Ensures distortion-free removal—great for crown work

3. Patterson® Aerosol Alginate Tray Adhesive

Patterson® Alginate Tray Adhesive – Aerosol, 3.5 oz

Product Overview

This adhesive is specifically formulated for use with alginate impression materials. Its fast-drying spray creates a strong bond between the impression tray and material, minimizing distortion or separation during removal from the patient’s mouth.

Key Features

  • Aerosol spray allows for quick and uniform application
  • Strong adhesion prevents impression pull-away
  • Compatible with alginate-based impression materials
  • Dries quickly for efficient procedure workflow
  • Made in the USA

Common Applications

  • Bonding alginate impression material to trays
  • Use in diagnostic models and preliminary impressions
  • Suitable for use with metal or plastic impression trays

Technical Specifications

  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Size: 3.5 oz
  • Format: Aerosol spray
  • Material Compatibility: Alginate impression materials

Customer Feedback

Customers appreciate the consistent spray coverage and reliable adhesion it provides during impression procedures.


4. Polyether Tray Adhesive

Polyether Tray Adhesive, 17 ml Bottle

Product Overview

This tray adhesive is compatible with all metal and custom methacrylate trays. The improved formulation features a red color for easier visual confirmation of coverage, and a slight increase in drying time to enhance bonding effectiveness with polyether materials.

Key Features

  • Specifically designed for polyether impression materials
  • Suitable for metal and custom methacrylate trays
  • New red color for easier visibility during application
  • Adjusted drying time of 1 minute for improved adhesion
  • Shelf life reduced to 24 months for fresher stock control

Common Applications

  • Bonding polyether impression material to trays
  • Use in fixed prosthodontics and restorative procedures
  • Ideal for precision impressions requiring dimensional stability

Technical Specifications

Customer Feedback

  • Color: Red
  • Drying Time: Approximately 1 minute
  • Shelf Life: 24 months
  • Compatible Tray Types: Metal and custom methacrylate trays
  • Material Compatibility: Polyether impression materials

Clinicians have noted improved visibility during application and consistent performance with polyether materials since the formulation update.


5. Patterson® Liquid Tray Adhesive

Patterson® Liquid Tray Adhesive – 0.5 oz, 2/Pkg

Product Overview

Formulated specifically for alginate impression materials, this liquid adhesive provides dependable retention between the impression tray and material. It helps eliminate pull-away or distortion during removal, ensuring detailed, stable impressions.

Key Features

  • Strong bond between alginate and impression tray
  • Minimizes distortion during impression removal
  • Easy-to-use liquid application
  • Designed for use with metal or plastic trays
  • Reliable performance with alginate materials

Common Applications

  • Bonding alginate material in impression trays
  • Preliminary impressions for study models or prosthetics
  • Compatible with both stock and custom trays

Technical Specifications

  • Package Quantity: 2/Pkg
  • Size: 0.5 oz per bottle
  • Format: Liquid adhesive
  • Material Compatibility: Alginate impression materials

Customer Feedback

Users value its ease of application and consistent retention, making it a dependable choice for alginate-based procedures.


6. Universal VPS Adhesive

Universal VPS Adhesive, 7 ml Bottle

Product Overview

This universal adhesive enhances the retention of VPS materials to a variety of tray types. It ensures the impression material remains stable throughout the procedure, reducing the chance of distortion or displacement upon tray removal.

Key Features

  • Compatible with all VPS impression materials
  • Ensures strong adhesion to metal, plastic, or custom trays
  • Prevents separation and distortion during removal
  • Easy brush-on liquid application
  • Consistent performance in diverse clinical environments

Common Applications

  • Bonding VPS impression material to impression trays
  • Use in crown, bridge, and implant impression procedures
  • Suitable for both preliminary and final impressions

Technical Specifications

  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Size: 7 ml
  • Format: Liquid brush-on adhesive
  • Material Compatibility: Vinyl polysiloxane (VPS)
  • Old Manufacturer Number: 138912-1

Customer Feedback

Practitioners report reliable results and secure material retention across various tray types, making it a trusted choice for VPS-based impressions


7. Hold™ Tray Adhesive by Water Pik Technologies

Hold™ Tray Adhesive - Water Pik Technologies Inc

Product Overview

This adhesive is ideal for use with alginate impression materials, offering enhanced tray retention to minimize distortion or separation. It is not suitable for use with elastomeric materials, ensuring its formulation is optimized for alginate performance.

Key Features

  • Provides strong adhesion for alginate materials
  • Delivers consistent retention during impression removal
  • Optimized for metal and plastic trays
  • Not intended for use with elastomeric materials
  • Helps reduce the risk of impression distortion

Common Applications

  • Securing alginate impression material to trays
  • Use in diagnostic impressions and study models
  • Ideal for general dental practices

Technical Specifications

  • Material Compatibility: Alginate impression materials only
  • Format: Liquid adhesive
  • Not recommended for elastomeric materials

Customer Feedback

Clinicians appreciate its strong bonding capabilities and reliability in routine alginate impression procedures.


8. TAC™ Tray Adhesive Compound by Keystone Industries

TAC™ Tray Adhesive Compound - Keystone Industries

Product Overview

Formulated for use with alginate materials, TAC™ adhesive ensures impressions remain firmly in place during tray removal. Its alcohol-based composition allows for quick drying and simple removal with isopropyl alcohol, improving workflow and convenience in clinical settings.

Key Features

  • Available in spray or brush-on liquid formats
  • Strong bond for alginate impression materials
  • Alcohol-based for faster drying time
  • Easily dissolves with isopropyl alcohol for cleanup
  • Designed for reliable retention and reduced distortion

Common Applications

  • Bonding alginate material to impression trays
  • Used in diagnostic and preliminary impressions
  • Ideal for general and prosthodontic dental procedures

Technical Specifications

  • Format: Aerosol spray or brush-on liquid
  • Base: Alcohol
  • Material Compatibility: Alginate impression materials
  • Cleanup: Soluble with isopropyl alcohol

Customer Feedback

Dental professionals value the quick drying time and ease of cleanup, making TAC™ a convenient choice for everyday alginate impressions.


9. Genie® VPS Tray Adhesive

Genie® VPS Tray Adhesive Refill, 14 ml Bottle

Product Overview

Designed to complement Genie® VPS materials, this adhesive ensures a strong bond between the impression tray and material. It helps produce consistently accurate impressions across various viscosities and setting times, supporting precise clinical outcomes.

Key Features

  • Optimized for use with Genie® VPS Impression Materials
  • Ensures secure adhesion to impression trays
  • Compatible with all Genie® viscosities and set times
  • Maintains detail accuracy and impression stability
  • Easy brush-on application

Common Applications

  • Bonding Genie® VPS material to trays
  • Use in crown, bridge, and implant impression techniques
  • Suitable for both single- and multi-viscosity applications

Technical Specifications

  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Size: 14 ml
  • Format: Brush-on liquid
  • Material Compatibility: Genie® VPS impression materials

Customer Feedback

Clinicians report reliable adhesion and high-quality impression results across multiple techniques when used with Genie® VPS products.


10. Coltene VPS Tray Adhesive

Coltene VPS Tray Adhesive – Bottle, 10 ml

Product Overview

Designed for compatibility with vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) materials, this adhesive enhances retention and reduces the risk of separation or distortion. Its dependable formula provides consistent performance across a wide range of silicone-based procedures.

Key Features

  • Universal adhesive for silicone-based impression materials
  • Strong bond between VPS material and tray
  • Supports accuracy in impression detail
  • Suitable for use with metal, plastic, or custom trays
  • Easy liquid application for even coverage

Common Applications

  • Securing VPS impression material in trays
  • Use in crown, bridge, and implant impressions
  • Ideal for final impression procedures requiring dimensional stability

Technical Specifications

  • Package Quantity: 1/Pkg
  • Size: 10 ml
  • Format: Brush-on liquid
  • Material Compatibility: Silicone-based (VPS) impression materials

Customer Feedback

Users note its reliability and strong hold across various impression tray types, making it a trusted choice for silicone-based impressions.

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