What Is Needed For Denture Impression?

Denture impression is something that almost all denture wearers need to get for their dentures. If you are looking for one, don’t worry, this post can help you understand what is needed and what to look out for a while having your impression done. 

This is a quick guide on what is required, why, and where you need to visit and have your denture impression done. Read on…

What are dental impressions?

Dental impressions are copies of the insides of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and other components. Traditional dental impressions are made with a particular putty, whereas digital dental impressions are made with a handheld wand and computer software.

What Is Needed For Denture Impression?

The products required to take dental impressions are listed below.

  • Mixing cup: You can use this cup to combine plaster and alginate. They come in two sizes, small and large, and are adaptable.
  • Alginate spatula: Are specifically made for combining alginate when making dental impressions. The handles of these spatulas are ergonomic for maximum user comfort.
  • Alginate: Silicone or alginate are often utilized materials. Alginate, however, is more frequently used today for two main reasons: silicone is typically more expensive. It is difficult to scan soft tissues like gum because it is a stiffer paste and requires more pushing. Alginate, more appropriately referred to as an irreversible hydrocolloid, undergoes a phase reaction by freezing, changing from a sol phase to a gel phase.
  • Impression trays: These can be created from disposable materials, metal, or plastic. We suggest the DuraLock Plus plastic imprint tray from Ortho Technologies, color-coded and numbered for various mouth sizes.

How is the denture impression made?

The dental impression tray chosen by your denturist will fit your mouth and oral anatomy. 

Firstly, he or she will place the tray in your mouth and fill it with the impression material. Alginate, refined marine algae, or polyvinyl siloxane, a silicone polymer resembling rubber, will be used depending on the impression (PVS).  The imprinting material initially forms up as semi-solid and then solidifies to resemble rubber. Based on the impression substance your Denturist employs, the setting procedure might take anywhere from thirty seconds to a few minutes.

Your dentist will take the substance and tray out of your mouth once it has had time to build up. You will then see an impression of your oral and dentofacial structures.

Upper and lower impressions will be taken independently by your denturist. This implies that you must take impressions of both your lower (or mandibular) ridge and your upper (or maxillary) ridge if you are having both an upper and a lower denture manufactured.

What is a dental impression used for?

Dental impressions are crucial for adequately fitting all orthodontic appliances, such as braces, retainers, veneers, and mouthguards, for your specific smile. The placement of a crown or bridge in your mouth is a frequent reason for acquiring dental impressions. A crown or bridge is the best way to restore your mouth’s function when you’ve fractured, cracked, or even missing teeth (or teeth). A dental impression provides the most effective approach to producing a pleasant, unique result because no two pairs of teeth are precisely the same.

Dental imprints are used to create a variety of dental restorations and oral equipment, such as:

  • Dental crowns.
  • Dental bridges.
  • Dental implants.
  • Porcelain veneers.
  • Dentures.
  • Clear aligners.
  • Retainers.
  • Whitening trays for your teeth.
  • Mouth guards for athletes.
  • Night guards (for teeth grinding).
  • Oral sleep apnea devices.

What are the three types of dental impressions?

Initial Impression

Typically, first assessments are made when a patient comes in for the first time.

The main goal of preliminary impressions is to establish a visual awareness of the patient’s teeth, record their oral health, and choose the best course of dental care. They serve as the starting point for the creation of various oral prosthesis, such as:

  • Retainers
  • Dental crowns or bridges
  • Veneers
  • Sports or night mouth guards
  • Dentures
  • Dental implants

Alginates or polyether vinyl silicone are frequently utilized.

Process Time: Patients often sit on the chair for 15 minutes during procedures. Preparing the materials required to capture first impressions, however, can take more time.

Final Impressions

Final impressions are a particular kind of dental impression that lab specialists use to create dental restoration tools. They should, in theory, give the most precise and accurate picture of a patient’s mouth, teeth, and general oral health.

Main goal is to create a “map” of the patient’s mouth, which is necessary for producing prosthetics that suit the patient perfectly, such as:

  • Dentures 
  • Retainers 
  • Denture crowns or bridges

Supplies utilized mostly elastomeric substances like polyvinyl siloxane or alginate.

Process time: 15 minutes, unless the lab indicates that there was a mistake. If a mistake was made, the process must be carried out again to produce an accurate impression.

Bite Registration Impressions

To depict how a patient’s upper and lower teeth are arranged in relative to one another, bite registration imprints were created. They are a particular kind of dental impression designed to better tooth alignment.

Primary goal: To evaluate the alignment of patients’ bites prior to, during, and/or following the administration of a treatment protocol. They could also be applied to produce:

  • Crowns, 
  • night guards,
  • Dentures

Supplies utilized To demonstrate proper biting alignment, some professionals use articulating paper. Other people use polymers like polysiloxane to make 3D impressions.

Process Time- Minutes, unless the imprint needs to be taken again to ensure correctness.

Dental impressions—are they risky?

Dental impressions often don’t pose any significant dangers. However, for some people, taking teeth impressions triggers their gag reflex. Your dentist can assist with you to lessen discomfort in these situations.

As previously mentioned, it is possible for teeth that are already quite loosened to escape into the impression material. Although unlikely, your dentist will assist you in finding a fix if it does.

Why is it so crucial to get a good dental impression?

A high-quality dental impression guarantees that your new replacement or appliance will fit perfectly. Poor impressions might lead to improper fit and performance.

Important Takeaway: 

The key to successful denture construction begins with a proper impression and molding. Contact DentKits at (800) 698-8124 to find out more!