A Reliable Choice
Regular Impressions
Making a great impression matters. Whether it’s for bridges, crowns, custom trays, dental implants, or dentures, taking an accurate impression is the cornerstone of a successful patient outcome.
Various factors can influence the accuracy of an impression, many of which can be addressed through trial and error. By collaborating closely with MDent during case planning, you can preempt potential issues and ensure the best fit and results for your patient.
To increase your chances of getting a perfect dental impression the first time, consider these essential tips.
14 Tips for a
Perfect Impression
- Check Expiration Dates: Always verify the expiration date of your impression materials. Expired materials can compromise the accuracy of the impression.
- Use a Metal Tray: Always opt for a metal tray for impressions. Plastic trays can flex under pressure, leading to distorted impressions as they rebound after removal. Metal trays minimize the risk of such distortions, ensuring a more accurate final impression.
- Apply Tray Adhesive: Use tray adhesive on all impression trays, even those with perforations. Without adhesive, the impression material might pull away from the tray, resulting in inaccuracies.
- Synchronize Loading and Injecting: The assistant should load the tray material while the dentist injects the material. Avoid letting the material sit too long before use, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for the best results.
- Avoid Fast Set Materials for Crowns and Bridges: Fast set materials are more prone to distortion due to operatory technique and room temperature variations. Stick to regular set materials for more reliable results.
- Extend Setting Time: Add an extra minute to the manufacturer’s suggested setting time. This helps prevent tearing of the margins when removing the impression.
- Consider a Custom Tray: For patients with larger mouths or unique conditions, a standard metal tray might not suffice. Request a custom tray from your lab to ensure a proper fit and optimal results.
- Use Full Arch Trays for Extensive Work: For extensive posterior bridges and units, use a full arch tray. Also, create a temporary for the most posterior abutment tooth and adjust the occlusion properly to ensure a correct bite.
- Submerge the Mix Tip: When filling the tray, keep the mix tip submerged in the material to prevent bubbles and voids in the impression.
- Inspect Impressions with Magnification: Before sending impressions to the lab, check them under magnification for defects and visible margins. This step reduces lab callbacks, the need for repeat impressions, and ensures a better fit, ultimately improving patient satisfaction.
- Accommodate “Gaggers”: For patients prone to gagging, use a custom tray with an open palate, a quad-tray, or a lower tray for upper impressions.
- Don’t Let Patients Hold the Impression: Patients may unintentionally move or adjust the impression during setting, compromising accuracy. Ensure an assistant holds the tray for a secure fit.
- Be Aware of Latex Gloves: Sulfur compounds in latex gloves can interfere with impression materials. Consider using vinyl gloves as a safer alternative.
- Leave Disinfection to the Lab: Do not disinfect impressions before sending them to the lab. The lab will handle the disinfection process upon arrival.