The majority of crown and bridge impressions sent to dental technicians are of single tooth preparations. Above all, a consistant technique protocol is paramount to achieving exceptional results. Taking great impressions can be simple for both the dentist and patient if the dentist chooses the correct impression tray, achieves adequate retraction with no bleeding and uses a rigid impression material and light body wash to capture clearly the sharp detail of the preparation. Many clinicians and patient’s feel that taking a crown and bridge impression is the most stressful procedure in restorative dentistry (Figs. Once your impression has been taken, your denturist will have the ability to create a master cast or model, and your custom-fitting denture will be constructed from that model.An accurate impression is essential for a precise fit of an indirect restoration. As you might guess, the impressions resulting from this process are much more accurate compared to preliminary impressions. Final impressions are also taken using a highly accurate impression material. The resulting imprints are then used to create custom trays for final impressions.įinal or functional impressions are undertaken using accurately-fitting customized trays that are developed from your preliminary impressions. Preliminary or diagnostic impressions are generally taken to begin treatment. Will I need more than one set of dental impressions?ĭepending on your denturist’s practices and the treatment plan you have, they may take more than one set of impressions. Be sure to let your denturist know before the impression process begins – he or she may use strategies to help make your impression more comfortable. If you have a strong gag reflex, the experience can be difficult. Some people may even feel as though they are going to gag during the process. Some patients find this causes them to salivate more or even excessively. Some people find this close and continuous physical contact awkward or uncomfortable.įor some, the most challenging part of the impression experience is having a tray of impression material inside your mouth. You will wear a dental bib during the procedure to protect your clothing, and you may have debris on your lips and face afterward (which cleans up easily with water).ĭuring the impression process, your denturist will have to manipulate your lips around the tray to form the border of your denture, and continuously prod the impression material to gauge when it has set up. Most people would not describe getting a dental impression as comfortable or pleasant. What is it like to have my dental impression taken? This means that if you are having both an upper and a lower denture made, you will need to go through the impression process once on your upper (or maxillary) ridge and once on your lower (or mandibular) ridge. Your denturist will take upper and lower impressions separately. At that time, you will be able to see an imprint of your dentition and oral structures. Once it has set up, your denturist will remove the material and tray from your mouth. The setting process can take from 30 seconds to a few minutes, depending on the impression material your denturist uses. The impression material starts out as semi-solid and then sets to become rubber-like solid. He or she will fill the tray with impression material and insert it into your mouth.ĭepending on the type of impression being taken, the material will be a thick substance like alginate (refined sea algae) or a rubber-like silicone substance like polyvinyl siloxane (PVS).

Your denturist will select a dental impression tray that fits your mouth and oral structures. From that model, they will build a denture that fits the unique contours of your mouth. Your denturist will use your impression to create a model of your soft tissues and any remaining teeth. As with any sort of impression, a dental impression is a relief or negative imprint, but specifically of your oral structures. In order to construct a denture that fits your mouth perfectly, your denturist will need to take your impressions. You have had your denture consultation and now you’re ready to have a new denture made – exciting! So where does your denturist begin? With a dental impression. To make your custom denture, your denturist will need to capture your unique dental imprint, known as an impression

Taking dental impression