Can Dental Impression Trays Be Reused?

Dental impression trays are essential tools you see in every dental clinic. They are used to hold the material that molds the exact shape of your teeth and gums for crowns, dentures and braces.

But one question many people wonder is whether dental impression trays be reused, or are they only meant for one-time use. Let’s find out in this blog!

Two Main Types of Dental Impression Trays

There are two main types of dental impression trays. Let’s explain each of them separately:

Meta Impression Trays

Metal impression trays are usually made of stainless steel and can be reused many times because they are strong, durable, and can be safely sterilized. Sterilization eliminates the risk of infection.

Metal trays give more accurate impressions, which makes them ideal for detailed treatments like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Plastic Impression Trays

On the other hand, plastic trays are mostly designed for single use. They are cheaper and convenient but not as strong, so the impressions may be less precise.

Since they cannot handle sterilization, reusing them is unsafe and could spread infection.

Are There Reusable Plastic Trays?

In some cases, certain plastic trays or handles are labeled by manufacturers as reusable. These trays must be sterilized strictly according to instructions.

However, most plastic trays remain single-use only to prevent cross-contamination.

Challenges of Using Reusable Impression Trays

There are some challenges of using reusable metal impression trays at dental clinics:

• Trays must be marked or engraved so dental labs return them to the correct clinic.
• All leftover impression material must be removed before sterilization.
• Proper sterilization is required, usually by autoclaving, to kill all germs.
• Trays can also get lost, damaged, or mixed up between patients

However, with the right system in place for cleaning, marking and sterilizing – you can maneuver these challenges effectively.

What is Autoclaving for Metal Impression Trays?

Metal impression trays must be sterilized through a process called autoclaving. It works by using steam under high pressure and temperatures to kill all bacteria, virus, fungi and even tough spores.

The machine usually heats them to about 121–134°C (250–273°F) according to the desired time, and pressure.

Choosing the Right Dental Impression Tray for Your Clinic

If you are skeptical about which tray you should invest in, here are some quick tips to consider:

• If you have a high foot fall, it is best to invest in metal trays because they are durable, reusable, accurate and environmentally friendly. You can buy proper in-house sterilization equipment to reduce the risk of infections.
• If you are a small clinic owner with less-use, you may choose plastic trays for convenience and reduced sterilization burden.

Overall Insight

Metal trays are reusable, accurate, and safe with proper sterilization through autoclaving, while plastic trays are convenient and suitable for one-time use only. The final choice remains subjective based on your clinic’s need, budget, and patient flow.

Get a variety of metal impression trays at Get Implant. Request a quote at (713) 296-0329.