Dental impression

Dental Impression is a procedure in dentistry where an imprint or negative likeness of the teeth and oral tissues is formed. This is used to produce a positive reproduction for the purpose of constructing dental prostheses.

Overview

A Dental Impression is a representation of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, created from a negative imprint of these structures in a dental impression material. This impression can then be used to create a cast or model of the patient's dentition, which is used in the fabrication of dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Procedure

The process of taking a dental impression involves several steps. First, the dentist selects the appropriate impression tray, which is a device that holds the impression material and is shaped to fit the patient's mouth. The tray is filled with a soft, pliable material, such as alginate or silicone, which hardens after a few minutes to create the impression.

Once the impression material has set, the tray is carefully removed from the patient's mouth, ensuring that the impression is not distorted. The impression is then inspected for accuracy and completeness. If any areas are missing or unclear, the process may need to be repeated.

The dental impression is then sent to a dental laboratory, where it is used to create a detailed model of the patient's teeth and oral tissues. This model serves as a guide for the fabrication of dental restorations.

Types of Dental Impressions

There are three main types of dental impressions: preliminary, final, and bite registration.

• Preliminary Impressions are used to create diagnostic models for treatment planning and to fabricate custom trays for final impressions.
• Final Impressions are used to produce the precise replica of the oral tissues, which is used in the fabrication of definitive dental restorations.
• Bite Registration Impressions are used to record the relationship between the upper and lower teeth when they are in contact, which is important for the fabrication of occlusal appliances and restorations.

Materials

Various materials are used in the process of taking dental impressions, including alginate, polyvinyl siloxane, polysulfide, and polyether. The choice of material depends on the specific requirements of the procedure and the preference of the dentist.

Risks and Complications

While dental impressions are generally safe, there can be potential risks and complications. These may include allergic reactions to the impression materials, discomfort or gagging during the procedure, and inaccuracies in the impression that can lead to ill-fitting restorations.

See Also

• Dentistry
• Dental Prosthetics
• Dental Restoration
• Dental Laboratory

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