Dental impression

Last updated
An impression body, made from alginate impression material. Alginate impression body.jpg
An impression body, made from alginate impression material.
A custom dental model or plaster cast. Toothmold.jpg
A custom dental model or plaster cast.

A dental impression is a negative imprint of hard and soft tissues in the mouth from which a positive reproduction, such as a cast or model, can be formed. It is made by placing an appropriate material in a dental impression tray which is designed to roughly fit over the dental arches. The impression material is liquid or semi-solid when first mixed and placed in the mouth. It then sets to become an elastic solid, which usually takes a few minutes depending upon the material. This leaves an imprint of a person's dentition and surrounding structures of the oral cavity.

Contents

Digital impressions using computerized scanning are now available.

Uses

Impressions, and the study models, are used in several areas of dentistry including:

Wax mock up of crowns on a cast made from an impression Wax mock up.jpg
Wax mock up of crowns on a cast made from an impression

The required type of material for taking an impression and the area that it covers will depend on the clinical indication. Common materials used for dental impressions are: [1]

Techniques for taking impression

Impressions can also be described as mucostatic or mucocompressive, being defined both by the impression material used and the type of impression tray used (i.e. spaced or closely adapted). Mucostatic means that the impression is taken with the mucosa in its normal resting position. These impressions will generally lead to a denture which has a good fit during rest, but during chewing, the denture will tend to pivot around incompressible areas (e.g. torus palatinus) and dig into compressible areas. Mucocompressive means that the impression is taken when the mucosa is subject to compression. These impressions will generally lead to a denture that is most stable during function but not at rest. Dentures are at rest most of the time, so it could be argued that mucostatic impressions make better dentures, however in reality it is likely that tissue adaption to the presence of either a denture made with a mucostatic or a mucocompressive technique make little difference between the two in the long term. Another type of impression technique is selective pressure technique in which stress bearing areas are compressed and stress relief areas are relieved such that both the advantages of muco static and muco compressive techniques are achieved.

Special techniques

Impression for provision of fixed prosthesis

The preparation border must be accurately captured by the light bodied impression material when taking impressions for crown and bridge work. As a result, the gingival tissues must be pushed away from the preparation margin in order for the impression material to be accessible. Inserting a retraction cord into the gingival crevice is one method of retracting gingival tissues away from the tooth. [2]

Impression materials

Impression materials can be considered as follows:

Rigid

Plaster of Paris (impression plaster)

Plaster of Paris is traditionally used as a casting material once the impression has been taken, however its use as an impression material is occasionally useful in edentate patients. [2] The tissues are not displaced during impression taking, hence the material is termed mucostatic. Mainly composed of β-calcium sulphate hemihydrate, impression plaster has a similar composition and setting reaction to the casting material with an increase in certain components to control the initial expansion that is observed with Plaster of Paris. Additionally, more water is added to the powder than with the casting material to aid in good flow during impression taking. As the impression material is very similar to the casting material to be used, it requires the incorporation of a separating medium (e.g. sodium alginate) to aid in separating the cast from the impression. If a special tray is to be used, impression plaster requires 1–1.5mm spacing for adequate thickness.

Advantages: [2]

  • Hydrophilic
  • Good detail reproduction
  • Good dimensional stability (contraction on setting)
  • Good patient tolerance
  • 2–3 minutes working time

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Brittle
  • No recovery from deformation. Therefore, if an undercut is present the material will have to be broken off the impression and then glued back together prior to casting
  • Excess salivation by the patient could have adverse effect on detail reproduction

Impression compound

Impression compound has been used for many years as an impression material for removable prostheses. Although its use has recently declined with the advent of better materials. Due to its poor flow characteristics, it is unable to reproduce fine detail and so its use is somewhat limited to the following scenarios:

  • Primary impressions of complete dentures
  • Border moulding of trays
  • Extension of trays
  • Achieving mucocompression in the post-dam area when working impressions are taken for complete dentures

Impression compound is a thermoplastic material; it is presented as a sheet of material, which is warmed in hot water (> 55–60 °C) for one minute, and loaded on a tray prior to impression taking. Once in the mouth, the material will harden and record the detail of the soft tissues. The impression can further be hardened by placing it in cold water after use. Impressions with compound should be poured within an hour as the material exhibits poor dimensional stability. There are two main presentations of impression compound: red compound and greenstick. The latter is mainly used for border moulding and recording the post-dam area.

Vinyl polysiloxane impression material (impression material)

vinyl polysiloxane dental impression materials used for making accurate dental impressions with excellent reproducibility. It is available in Putty and light body consistencies to aid dentists make perfect impressions for fabrication of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays and veneers. Example Flexceed

Advantages:

  • Better reproduction detail with two viscosities (Putty & Light Body)
  • Exhibits pseudo-plastic properties for precision which is not found in alginates
  • Superior tear strength than any other VPS material
  • Better dimensional stability – multiple models can be poured up to two weeks
  • Good hydrophilicity
  • Compatible with gypsum products
  • Superior wetting characteristics ensuring gypsum working cast is hard with smooth surface
  • Can be subjected to cold sterilization without compromising the details and dimensional stability of the impression

Zinc-oxide eugenol plaster (impression paste)

Impression paste is traditionally used to take the working (secondary) impressions for a complete denture. When used with a special tray it requires 1 mm of spacing to allow for enough thickness of the material; this is also termed a close fitting special tray. [2] It is available as a two-paste system:

  • Base paste: zinc oxide
  • Catalyst paste: eugenol

The two pastes should be used in equal amounts and blended together with a stainless steel spatula (Clarident spatula) on a paper pad. Zinc-oxide Eugenol plaster will produce a mucostatic impression.

Advantages: [2]

  • Thermoplastic – can be heated to aid removal from the casting material
  • Good detail reproduction
  • Good dimensional stability (0.15% shrinkage on setting)

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Rigid – presence of undercuts can distort the final material or cause the section engaged to separate from resultant impression

Impression waxes

Non rigid

Hydrocolloid

Agar

Agar is a material which provides high accuracy. Therefore, it is used in fixed prosthodontics (crowns, bridges) or when a dental model has to be duplicated by a dental technician. Agar is a true hydrophilic material, hence the teeth do not need to be dried before placing it into the mouth. [1] It is a reversible hydrocolloid which means that its physical state can be changed by altering its temperature which allows to reuse the material multiple times. The material comes in form of tubes or cartridges. A special hardware is required in the process of taking agar impressions, namely a water bath and rim lock trays with coiled edges allowing passage of cold water for cooling the material to set while in the mouth. The bath consists of three containers filled with water at different temperatures: the first is set at 100 °C to liquefy the agar, the second is used to lower down the temperature of the material for safe intra-oral use (usually set at 43–46 °C) and the third one is used for storage and is set at 63–66 °C. The storage container can maintain agar tubes and cartridges at temperature 63–66 °C for several days for convenient immediate use. The tray is connected to a hose, material is loaded onto the tray and placed in the mouth over the preparation – an adequate thickness of the material is required, otherwise distortion may occur upon removal from the mouth. The other end of the hose is connected to a cold water source. The hydrocolloid is then cooled down through the tray wall which results in setting of the material. The models should be poured as soon as possible to avoid changes in dimensional stability. [1]

Modern dentistry offers other materials (e.g. elastomerics) which provide high accuracy impressions and are easier to use hence agar is used less frequently.

Advantages: [1]

  • high accuracy
  • hydrophilic
  • reusable

Disadvantages: [1]

  • complex procedural steps
  • significant start-up cost of the hardware
Alginate
Dental impression of upper teeth recorded by Alginate Dental impression upper teeth.jpg
Dental impression of upper teeth recorded by Alginate

Alginate, on the other hand, is an irreversible hydrocolloid. It exists in two phases: either as a viscous liquid, or a solid gel, the transition generated by a chemical reaction. [3] The impression material is created through adding water to the powdered alginate which contains a mixture of sodium and potassium salts of alginic acid. The overall setting double composition reaction is as follows:

Potassium (sodium) alginate + calcium sulphate dihydrate + water → calcium alginate + potassium (sodium) sulphate

Sodium phosphate is added as a retarder which preferentially reacts with calcium ions to delay the set of the material.

Alginate has a mixing time of 45–60 secs, a working time of 45 secs (fast set) and 75 secs (regular set). The setting time can be between 1 – 4.5 mins which can be varied by the temperature of water used: the cooler the water, the slower the set and vice versa. You want to ensure that the material is fully set before removal from the mouth.

The water content that the completed impression is exposed to must be controlled. Improper storage can either result in syneresis (the material contracts upon standing and exudes liquid) or imbibition (water uptake which is uncontrolled in extent and direction). Therefore, the impression must be stored correctly, which involves wrapping the set material in a damp tissue and storing it in a sealed polythene bag until the impression can be cast. Alginate is used in dental circumstances when less accuracy is required. For example, this includes the creation of study casts to plan dental cases and design prosthesis, and also to create the primary and working impressions for denture construction.

Several faults can be encountered when using an alginate impression material, but these can generally be avoided through adequate mixing, correct spatulation, correct storage of the set material, and timely pouring of the impression.

Due to the increased accuracy of elastomers, they are recommended for taking secondary impressions over alginate. Patients both preferred the overall experience of having an impression taken with an elastomer than with alginate, and also favoured the resultant dentures produced. [4]

Advantages:

  • Easy flow
  • Cheap
  • Reproduction of adequate detail
  • Fast setting time
  • Minimal tissue displacement in the mouth

Disdavantages:

  • It has poor dimensional stability
  • Poor tear strength
  • If it is unsupported, it distorts
  • Easy to include air during mixing
  • A minimum thickness of 3 mm is required which is hard to achieve in thin areas in between the teeth

Non-aqueous elastomeric impression materials

As stated above, there are times clinically where the accuracy of an alginate impression is not acceptable, particularly for the construction of fixed prosthodontics. Agar may be used but as discussed has a number of technical difficulties in its use. As such elastomers were developed to capture the fine detail and accuracy required.

Polysulphides

Polysulphides have become increasingly unpopular due to their unpleasant taste/smell. The material is presented as a paste to paste system mixed by a dental nurse prior to use. The material sets by a condensation polymerisation reaction. Initially the polymer chains increase in length causing a slight increase in temperature, of 3–4 °C. This is then followed by cross linking of the polymer chains and finally the release of water as a by product. This later reaction slightly contracts the material making it stiffer and more resistant to permanent deformation. When poured and cast this slight contraction means the resulting model is slightly larger and as such creates space for the luting cement.

Advantages: [2]

  • Good tear resistance
  • Dimensionally stable – some shrinkage on set with release of by-product
  • Good Accuracy
  • Most flexible elastomer

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Reduced patient satisfaction – distinct unpleasant taste and smell
  • Long setting time
  • Requires excellent moisture control
  • Difficult to mix

Polyethers

Polyethers are the most hydrophilic impression material of the hydrophobic elastomers. This property makes it a commonly used material in general practice as it more likely to capture preparation margins when moisture control is not perfect.

Presented as a paste to paste system the material is often used with a monophase impression technique, meaning both the material syringed round the preparation and the bulk within the tray are the same material. Note when mixing polyether the base to accelerator ratio is not 1:1 like with most elastomers, but 1:4.

Advantages: [2]

  • Most hydrophilic elastomeric impression material
  • Dimensionally stable – minimal shrinkage on set with release of by-product
  • Good accuracy
  • Monophase impression
  • Good tear resistance

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Can be too stiff – deep undercuts and space under a bridge pontic should be blocked out with soft (modelling) wax to prevent inadvertently removing bridge with impression

Indications:

  • Indirect cast restorations, especially in cases where moisture control cannot be guaranteed
  • Locating and the pick up of implant analogues in preparation for placement of superstructure
  • Functional impression taking in removable prosthodontics

Silicones

Impression taken with silicone Keep-smiling-5.jpg
Impression taken with silicone

There are two types of silicone resin impression material, addition and condensation (reflecting each of their setting reactions). Silicones are inherently hydrophobic and as such require excellent moisture control for optimal use.

Addition silicone

Addition silicones have become the most used impression material in advanced restorative dentistry. There are many forms available, based on their differing amounts of filler content. This dictates the flow properties of each type with more filler resulting in a thicker, less flowable material. The most common forms are: extra light-bodied (low filler content), light-bodied, universal or medium-bodied, heavy-bodied and putty (high filler content). However each type follows the same addition polymerisation reaction and is presented as a paste to paste system. The reaction does not produce any by-product making it dimensionally stable and very accurate.

Advantages: [2]

  • Good detail reproduction
  • Excellent dimensional stability – no shrinkage on set
  • High patient acceptance
  • More than one model can be poured from one cast

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Hydrophobic – requires excellent moisture control
  • Too accurate – impression may not be compensated for during investment and casting, resulting in too small a die being produced and subsequently too small a restoration.
  • Poor tear resistance
  • Expensive

Indications:

Contraindications

  • Inadequate moisture control
Condensation silicone

Condensation silicones are commonly used as a putty, paste or light bodied material. The systems are usually presented as a paste or putty and a liquid/paste catalyst; meaning accurate proportioning is difficult to achieve resulting in varied outcomes. For example, the setting reaction of putty is started by kneading a low viscosity paste accelerator into a bulk of silicone with high filler content.

As stated the material sets by a condensation reaction forming a three-dimensional silicone matrix whilst releasing ethyl alcohol as a by-product. This in turn results in a minimally exothermic set with marked shrinkage on setting (shrinkage being relative to filler content, where high filler content has reduced shrinkage).

Advantages: [2]

  • Accurate
  • High patient acceptance

Disadvantages: [2]

  • Hydrophobic – requires excellent moisture control
  • Unreliable dimensional stability – difficult to accurately proportion components leading to variable results
  • Marked shrinkage on setting with release of by-product

Indications:

  • Indirect cast restorations
  • Matrices for indirect/direct restoration
  • Working impressions for metal based removable prosthodontics and relines
  • Lab putty

Impression trays

An impression tray is a container which holds the impression material as it sets, and supports the set impression until after casting. Impression trays can be separated into two main categories- stock trays and special trays.

Stock trays

Metal stock tray for upper jaw Konfektionierter Abdruckloeffel bezahnt Oberkiefer 20.JPG
Metal stock tray for upper jaw
Plastic stock trays of both jaws Cubetas de plastico.JPG
Plastic stock trays of both jaws

Stock trays are used to take primary impressions and come in a range of sizes and shapes, and can be plastic or metal. Stock trays can be rounded (designed to fit the mouths of people with no remaining teeth) or squared (designed to fit people with some remaining teeth). They can be full arch, covering all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw in one impression, or a partial coverage tray, designed to fit over about three teeth (used when making crowns). The stock tray with the closest size and shape to the patient's own arch dimensions is selected for impressions.

Stock trays must meet various requirements in order to obtain a satisfactory impression. A good stock tray will:

Stock trays can be dentate or edentulous, and perforated (used with alginate) or non-perforated (allows the impression material to run through the holes and increase the bond of the impression material to the tray when set).

Plastic stock trays

Plastic stock trays are generally injection moulded from a high-impact styrene such as polystyrene. The Triple Tray is a type of plastic tray used for taking impressions for a crown using the double arch or dual bite impression technique. It is used for taking impressions of the tooth preparation and the opposing teeth, by the use of a special impression material, usually elastomer. The accuracy of the results is however subject to the ability of the patient to close their teeth when the tray is present in the mouth. It cannot produce results of the complete arch, therefore its usefulness is limited.

Metal stock trays

Metal stock trays are often preferred over plastic stock trays, due to the lack of rigidity in plastic stock trays. Although expensive to purchase, they have the benefit of being reusable, so can be more cost-efficient in the long-term.

Custom trays

Acrylic custom tray Individuelle Abdruckloffel 19.JPG
Acrylic custom tray

A special tray is an impression tray custom made for an individual patient by a denturist (dental technician), usually made from acrylic, such as polymethyl methacrylate, or shellac. A stock tray is used to make a preliminary impression, from which a model can be cast. This is then used for wax to make the tray to be laid down. The thickness corresponds to specific spacing, and can be classed as spaced, where about 3mm of space is left between the tray and the mucosa for the impression material to occupy, or closely adapted, where less space is left for the impression material. This is determined by the impression material to be used.

Specific features can be given to the special tray to improve the accuracy of the impression such as a window which can help to record displaceable tissues such as flabby ridges when used with a less viscous impression material. Special trays can be given perforations if required by drilling holes in tray.

Customised trays have been less frequently used since the advent of putties. This is due to the putty providing good support for light bodied material, and showing very little dimensional change which provides a fine detailed dental impression. There is now a large increase in the variety of stock trays available.

Tray adhesives

Tray adhesives are used to ensure the retention of the impression material in the impression tray, with or without the presence of perforations, and are based on contact adhesive technology. Maximum retention can be achieved with the presence of both a tray adhesive and perforations in the impression tray. The adhesive is applied to the internal surface of the tray, as well as over the margins to ensure the binding of the outer edge of the impression material to the tray. A suitable amount of adhesive (usually two thin coats) should be applied to the tray to prevent pooling of the adhesive which can weaken the bond between the tray and impression material. The adhesive should be completely dried prior to impression-taking. Tray adhesives usually come in a screw-top bottle with a brush attached to the lid that can be used for applying the adhesive. Overtime, the adhesive can accumulate around the cap, causing the evaporation of the solvent, and consequently the thickening of the adhesive. This can reduce the efficacy of the adhesive to bind to the tray.

Types

Various tray adhesives are available, corresponding to the impression material used.

Impression materials and corresponding adhesives [5]
Impression materialAdhesive used
PolyetherEthyl acetate dissolved in propanol or acetone
PolysulphideStyrene acrylonite or butyl rubber dissolved in a ketone or in chloroform
Alginate10–12% toluene dissolved in 45–50% isopropanol
Condensation siliconeEthyl silicate (bonds to tray) and poly dimethyl silicone (reacts with impression material)
Addition siliconeEthyl silicate (bonds to tray) and poly dimethyl silicone (reacts with impression material), often with the addition of naphtha and ethyl acetate

Digital impressions

Digital impressions using extra-oral or intra-oral scanner systems are being adopted in dentistry. A model can be produced from the digital scan by milling or stereolithography. [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

Dental products are specially fabricated materials, designed for use in dentistry. There are many different types of dental products, and their characteristics vary according to their intended purpose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dentures</span> Prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable. However, there are many denture designs, some of which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. There are two main categories of dentures, the distinction being whether they fit onto the mandibular arch or on the maxillary arch.

Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. Many dentists refer to themselves as "cosmetic dentists" regardless of their specific education, specialty, training, and experience in this field. This has been considered unethical with a predominant objective of marketing to patients. The American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a formal specialty area of dentistry. However, there are still dentists that promote themselves as cosmetic dentists.

Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) is a material created by the combination of zinc oxide and eugenol contained in oil of cloves. An acid-base reaction takes place with the formation of zinc eugenolate chelate. The reaction is catalysed by water and is accelerated by the presence of metal salts. ZOE can be used as a dental filling material or dental cement in dentistry. It is often used in dentistry when the decay is very deep or very close to the nerve or pulp chamber. Because the tissue inside the tooth, i.e. the pulp, reacts badly to the drilling stimulus, it frequently becomes severely inflamed and precipitates a condition called acute or chronic pulpitis. This condition usually leads to severe chronic tooth sensitivity or actual toothache and can then only be treated with the removal of the nerve (pulp) called root canal therapy. For persons with a dry socket as a complication of tooth extraction, packing the dry socket with a eugenol-zinc oxide paste on iodoform gauze is effective for reducing acute pain. The placement of a ZOE "temporary" for a few to several days prior to the placement of the final filling can help to sedate the pulp. But, ZOE had in vitro cytotoxicity majorly due to release of Zn ions, not eugenol. In spite of severe in vitro cytotoxicity, ZOE showed relatively good biocompatibility in animal study when ZOE was applied on dentin. When ZOE was used as dentin-protective based materials, use of dental composite resin on ZOE was strongly prevented due to its inhibition of resin polymerization through radical scavenging effect. It is classified as an intermediate restorative material and has anaesthetic and antibacterial properties. The exact mechanism of anesthetic effect from ZOE was not revealed perfectly, but possibly through anti-inflammatory effect, modulating immune-cells to less inflamed status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dental technician</span> Technician working on dental appliances

A dental technician is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom-made restorative and dental appliances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dental implant</span> Surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw

A dental implant is a prosthesis that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, or facial prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor. The basis for modern dental implants is a biological process called osseointegration, in which materials such as titanium or zirconia form an intimate bond to the bone. The implant fixture is first placed so that it is likely to osseointegrate, then a dental prosthetic is added. A variable amount of healing time is required for osseointegration before either the dental prosthetic is attached to the implant or an abutment is placed which will hold a dental prosthetic/crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown (dental restoration)</span> Dental prosthetic that recreates the visible portion of a tooth

In dentistry, a crown or a dental cap is a type of dental restoration that completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. A crown may be needed when a large dental cavity threatens the health of a tooth. A crown is typically bonded to the tooth by dental cement. They can be made from various materials, which are usually fabricated using indirect methods. Crowns are used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth and to halt deterioration. While beneficial to dental health, the procedure and materials can be costly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inlays and onlays</span>

In dentistry, inlays and onlays are used to fill cavities, and then cemented in place in the tooth. This is an alternative to a direct restoration, made out of composite, amalgam or glass ionomer, that is built up within the mouth.

A removable partial denture (RPD) is a denture for a partially edentulous patient who desires to have replacement teeth for functional or aesthetic reasons and who cannot have a bridge for any reason, such as a lack of required teeth to serve as support for a bridge or financial limitations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toothlessness</span> Lacking teeth

Toothlessness, or edentulism, is the condition of having no teeth. In organisms that naturally have teeth, it is the result of tooth loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sealant</span> Substance used to block the passage of fluids through openings

Sealant is a substance used to block the passage of fluids through openings in materials, a type of mechanical seal. In building construction sealant is sometimes synonymous with caulk and also serve the purposes of blocking dust, sound and heat transmission. Sealants may be weak or strong, flexible or rigid, permanent or temporary. Sealants are not adhesives but some have adhesive qualities and are called adhesive-sealants or structural sealants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denturist</span>

A denturist in the United States and Canada, clinical dental technologist in the United Kingdom and Ireland, dental prosthetist in Australia, or a clinical dental technician in New Zealand is a member of the oral health care team and role as primary oral health care provider who provides an oral health examination, planning treatment, takes impressions of the surrounding oral tissues, constructs and delivers removable oral prosthesis treatment directly to the patient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine</span>

The Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine is the dental school of Nova Southeastern University. It is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. When it opened in 1997, it was the first new dental school to open in the United States in 24 years. It is the largest dental school in Florida. The school is accredited by the American Dental Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAD/CAM dentistry</span> Computer-aided design and manufacturing of dental prostheses

CAD/CAM dentistry is a field of dentistry and prosthodontics using CAD/CAM to improve the design and creation of dental restorations, especially dental prostheses, including crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays and onlays, fixed dental prostheses (bridges), dental implant supported restorations, dentures, and orthodontic appliances. CAD/CAM technology allows the delivery of a well-fitting, aesthetic, and a durable prostheses for the patient. CAD/CAM complements earlier technologies used for these purposes by any combination of increasing the speed of design and creation; increasing the convenience or simplicity of the design, creation, and insertion processes; and making possible restorations and appliances that otherwise would have been infeasible. Other goals include reducing unit cost and making affordable restorations and appliances that otherwise would have been prohibitively expensive. However, to date, chairside CAD/CAM often involves extra time on the part of the dentist, and the fee is often at least two times higher than for conventional restorative treatments using lab services.

Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS), also called poly-vinyl siloxane, vinyl polysiloxane (VPS), or vinylpolysiloxane, is an addition-reaction silicone elastomer. It is a viscous liquid that cures (solidifies) quickly into a rubber-like solid, taking the shape of whatever surface it was lying against while curing. As with two-part epoxy, its package keeps its two component liquids in separate tubes until the moment they are mixed and applied, because once mixed, they cure (harden) rapidly. Polyvinyl siloxane is widely used in dentistry as an impression material. It is also used in other contexts where an impression similar to a dental impression is needed, such as in audiology or in industrial applications. Polyvinyl siloxane was commercially introduced in the 1970s.

Adhesive dentistry is a branch of dentistry which deals with adhesion or bonding to the natural substance of teeth, enamel and dentin. It studies the nature and strength of adhesion to dental hard tissues, properties of adhesive materials, causes and mechanisms of failure of the bonds, clinical techniques for bonding and newer applications for bonding such as bonding to the soft tissue. There is also direct composite bonding which uses tooth-colored direct dental composites to repair various tooth damages such as cracks or gaps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dental prosthesis</span> Intraoral device for reconstructing missing teeth

A dental prosthesis is an intraoral prosthesis used to restore (reconstruct) intraoral defects such as missing teeth, missing parts of teeth, and missing soft or hard structures of the jaw and palate. Prosthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on dental prostheses. Such prostheses are used to rehabilitate mastication (chewing), improve aesthetics, and aid speech. A dental prosthesis may be held in place by connecting to teeth or dental implants, by suction, or by being held passively by surrounding muscles. Like other types of prostheses, they can either be fixed permanently or removable; fixed prosthodontics and removable dentures are made in many variations. Permanently fixed dental prostheses use dental adhesive or screws, to attach to teeth or dental implants. Removal prostheses may use friction against parallel hard surfaces and undercuts of adjacent teeth or dental implants, suction using the mucous retention, and by exploiting the surrounding muscles and anatomical contours of the jaw to passively hold in place.

Denture-related stomatitis is a common condition where mild inflammation and redness of the oral mucous membrane occurs beneath a denture. In about 90% of cases, Candida species are involved, which are normally a harmless component of the oral microbiota in many people. Denture-related stomatitis is the most common form of oral candidiasis. It is more common in elderly people, and in those who wear a complete upper denture. Denture-related stomatitis is more likely to develop when the denture is left constantly in the mouth, rather than removing it during sleep, and when the denture is not cleaned regularly.

A complete denture is a removable appliance used when all teeth within a jaw have been lost and need to be prosthetically replaced. In contrast to a partial denture, a complete denture is constructed when there are no more teeth left in an arch, hence it is an exclusively tissue-supported prosthesis. A complete denture can be opposed by natural dentition, a partial or complete denture, fixed appliances or, sometimes, soft tissues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overdenture</span> Removable dental prosthesis

Overdenture is any removable dental prosthesis that covers and rests on one or more remaining natural teeth, the roots of natural teeth, and/or dental implants. It is one of the most practical measures used in preventive dentistry. Overdentures can be either tooth supported or implant supported. It is found to help in the preservation of alveolar bone and delay the process of complete edentulism.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Bonsor, Stephen J.; Pearson, Gavin J. (2013). A Clinical Guide to Applied Dental Materials. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. pp. 243–251. ISBN   9780702031588.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Bonsor, Pearson (2013). pp. 237–273.
  3. Bonsor, Pearson (2013). pp. 245–248.
  4. Hyde, T.P; Craddock, H.L; Gray, J.C; Pavitt, S.H; Hulme, C; Godfrey, M; Fernandez, C; Navarro-Coy, N; Dillon, S; Wright, J; Brown, S; Dukanovic, G; Brunton, P.A (2013). "A Randomised Controlled Trial of complete denture impression materials". Journal of Dentistry. 42 (8): 895–901. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2014.02.005. PMC   4119301 . PMID   24995473.
  5. Bonsor, Pearson (2013). pp. 238–242.
  6. "Why Digital Impressions?". www.dentaleconomics.com. Retrieved 2019-01-06.
  7. Flügge, Tabea V.; Schlager, Stefan; Nelson, Katja; Nahles, Susanne; Metzger, Marc C. (2013-09-01). "Precision of intraoral digital dental impressions with iTero and extraoral digitization with the iTero and a model scanner". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 144 (3): 471–478. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.04.017 . ISSN   0889-5406. PMID   23992820.