As a dentist, providing your patients with the best possible care is your top priority. A crucial part of this process involves creating accurate dental impressions. However, even experienced dentists can make mistakes that can compromise the quality of their impressions. In this guide, we'll discuss the most common dental impression errors and provide you with tips on how to avoid them.

Error #1: Marginal Tears

Marginal tears can occur when the wash material used lacks sufficient tear strength. This can be influenced by the viscosity of the material and variations between manufacturers. When impression material is low in viscosity, it has a higher tendency to tear. Marginal tears can also result from removing the impression before the material has completely set.

Solution: Choose a material that is more viscous, which can lead to higher quality impressions.

Error #2: Internal Bubbles

Internal bubbles can appear in an impression when there is trapped moisture, fluid, or air in the impression material, which can lead to large bubbles that negatively affect the prosthetic and compromise the fit. Fluid buildup is usually the cause of large, ill-defined bubbles in a preparation, although air entrapment can also occur in deep and narrow areas.

Solution: Ensure that there is enough impression material in the tray and keep the tip of the material gun in the tray as the material is expressed to force out any air and reduce entrapment. Additionally, it is recommended to thoroughly flush and dry the preparation before taking the impression.

Error #3: Inaccurate Tray Selection

Selecting the right-sized tray is crucial to capture an area without any distortions. The tray used should be large enough to cover all teeth without contacting the soft tissues, and there should be no show-through of the tray in the completed impression. If the tray used is too small or arranged improperly, show-through may occur. While metal trays can be adjusted in the posterior regions, modifications to the anterior can be challenging. Plastic trays are easier to modify, and they can be readapted to fit a specific patient by heating the plastic with an alcohol torch. However, plastic trays can create a rebound effect when removed from the mouth, so a metal tray with sufficient support, such as the Clinicians Choice Quad tray, is suggested to ensure an accurate impression every time.

Solution: Keeping a wide selection of trays in different sizes in-stock is recommended.

Mistake #5: Poor Margin Detail

One of the top complaint’s technicians have when it comes to impressions is poor margin detail. And yet it's one of the most crucial aspects of a dental impression. Without accuracy, problems such as open margins or inadequate prosthetic fits are more likely to occur.

Solution: Using improved retraction methods with syringeable hemostatics.

Mistake #6: Contaminated Surface of The Impression

When the surface of the impression area is contaminated, it can cause the impression material to become sticky, resulting in an inaccurate impression.

Solution: Clean and dry the working area thoroughly using water or mouthwash. Additonally, clinicians should wash their gloved hands to remove any residue that could contaminate the impression material. Using powder-free or vinyl gloves is another option to prevent contamination, especially with putty materials.

Achieve The Best Impression Result with DentRyt

Avoiding these common dental impression mistakes can lead to successful restorative treatments and satisfied patients. At DentRyt Dental Laboratory, we understand the importance of accurate dental impressions, and we are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcomes for your patients. With our state-of-the-art technology and experienced technicians, we can provide you with high-quality dental restorations that meet your patients' unique needs.