All You Need To Know About Dental Impression Trays

Denture trays are a really important dentistry tool. These are mainly used to create exact impressions or mold of a patient's existing oral anatomy. This mold is cured and used in laboratories to make a well-fitted dental restoration. Let's learn more about them!

How Are Dental Impression Trays Used?

In order to restore a missing tooth, dentists use a dental impression tray. Some popular treatments where it is used include:

• Orthodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Mouth guards
• Whitening trays
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Dentures
• Snoring appliances

During a dental appointment, the impression tray is filled evenly with the preferred material. Most practices use alginate for taking impressions. The tray is then placed tightly over the arch of the teeth to get a negative imprint of teeth and gums.

The material takes up to a minute to cure inside the mouth, so taking impressions is quick and easy!

Three Main Types of Impression Trays

Various types of impression trays are suited for different specialized procedures and materials. Listed below are three main types:

Stock Trays

This is the most commonly used dental impression tray. These are available in pre-made, fixed sizes. But they can be easily customized by adding wax as a bumper or void filler to fit different patients' mouth needs.

Stock tray materials include stainless steel, plastic, or acrylic resin. They can either be perforated or solid.

Standard sizes of stock trays limit their flexibility and use over patients with severely crowded teeth.

Disposable Plastic Trays

Some dental facilities use disposable plastic trays to reduce the chances of cross-contamination between patients. This allows labs or offices to throw them after use. They are cost-effective because they eliminate the need for sterilization and also save time on the staff's part.

Custom Trays

Custom trays are personalized according to the unique fit of the mouth. They are recommended when stock trays cannot be altered to allow space for the material.

You can fabricate custom trays in thermoplastic, heat-activated acrylic, and light-cured resin.

Key Features To Look For In Impression Trays

When buying dental impression trays for your clinic, here are some things you should consider:

• Size: The size of the tray is highly important. It should comfortably fit into the patient's mouth without causing any pinching or discomfort. Ideally, it should leave 4-5 mm of space between the arch and tray.
• Safety: The impression tray materials should be medical-grade and approved in lieu of safety standards.
• Strength: The tray should be sturdy enough to withstand pressure during removal. It should not break or bend.
• Retention: Impression trays should be built over retention means such as a mesh lining, rim, or perforations to hold the material together and avoid separating.

Do Dental Procedures Determine The Choice of Trays?

Yes, dental procedures determine the choice of impression trays. The type of procedure, whether it's for dentures, crowns, bridges, or orthodontic work, helps decide the size, shape, and material of the tray.

Final Words

Dental impression trays are essential dental tools used at a facility. They create exact molds of the natural teeth anatomy. The three main types of dental impression trays are stock, disposable plastic, and custom trays. Dentists can use different trays depending on the type of dental treatment.

At Get Implant, we supply high-quality dental impressions to ensure high client satisfaction and exemplary results. Call us at (713) 296-0329 for more information on prices!