Dental Trays & Accessories: Plastic Impression Trays

Dental impression trays play an important role in capturing the precise impressions and records of patients' arch, i.e. full or half including teeth and surrounding oral structures. These impression trays serve as a mould for the impression material during the impression procedures. These impression materials are made to withhold various temperatures and working conditions like the stress load and nature of impression material. Impressions obtained from the procedure are vital in the creation of dental appliances used in orthodontics, dental prostheses like crowns and bridges, dentures, mouth guards, snoring appliances etc. Dental impression trays come in different sizes, shapes materials and designs, tailored to meet the expectations and needs of the dental treatment.

What is a Tray used for in Dentistry?

In the field of dentistry, dental trays hold a critical role in obtaining accurate and detailed impressions of the dental arches whether dentulous or edentulous which are crucial for various diagnostic or treatment procedures. Impression trays along with impression materials are used to create an accurate 3-D model of the patient’s mouth. Various materials such as alginate, putty, and silicone-based impression materials are used to record the anatomy and oral structures. Proper tray selection with an appropriate choice of impression material is the foundation of effective treatment planning and the construction of dental prostheses.

Talking about impression trays in dentistry, Angelus impression trays are widely accepted and used products in dentistry worldwide for detailed and precise capturing of dental records for better treatment plans and outcomes.

How to Use Impression Trays?

It is important to know certain steps for effective use of impression trays in dentistry :

• Tray selection: Tray selection is the most important step in the dental procedure, appropriate size and shape according to the patient’s mouth anatomy, material type, also the type of tray whether upper or lower arch, ensuring proper fit without causing any tissue injury or gag reflex.

• Preparation: After the selection of the tray, preparation and mixing of material according to the nature of the material and manufacturer recommendation.

• Loading: proper loading of impression material with proper mix and consistency, ensuring evenly distributed all over the tray, neither under load nor overloading the tray to get the desired impression and avoid repetition.

• Placement: Place the tray inside the patient’s mouth to avoid any discomfort or tissue injury, or to avoid any displacement of impression material. Ask the patient to loosen his mouth for proper movements of the buccal mucosa to capture the fine details.

• Setting time: allowing the material to be set as per the properties of the material and manufacturer guidelines ensuring no distortion while removing the impression material and doesn’t cause any voids.

• Removal: it is important to have the right selection of tray from a good manufacturer, so that the material remains intact while removing it from the patient’s mouth, inspect any irregularities or defects before sending it for lab work.

• Disinfection and sterilization: once the tray is removed and an impression is being made with gypsum products, it is important to clean the tray thoroughly with mild detergent and water and later autoclave the tray to avoid any spread of infection.

Types of Dental Impression Trays:

Dental impression trays are available in various types and materials, each having their specific needs and purpose:

• Stock trays: these come pre-made with fixed sizes with materials like stainless steel, plastics or acrylic resin or perforated with more holes for better retention.

• Disposable plastic trays: these are used by some dental practitioners to avoid cross-contamination, thus allowing the labs or clinics to dispose of them after every use.

• Full arch impression trays: these trays are used to capture the entire arch which aids in the fabrication of dental prostheses and appliances used in dentistry. It can be for upper or lower dentition.

• Annodontia Impression tray: these are shallower and smoother trays designed for arches and no teeth, specially designed to record the soft tissues and ridges.

• Universal sectional trays: these trays cover only a portion of the arch, quadrant or sextant, unlike other full trays. These trays are great for taking template impressions, for crowns veneers etc.

• Dual arch tray/Triple tray: these dental impression trays are made up of plastic or metal used to capture both upper and lower arches simultaneously, good for capturing occlusal records of opposing directions.

• Orthodontic trays: these dental impression trays have higher walls and flare clearance to fit the ortho brackets and wires and have special design locks that help in the removal of impressions.

Advantages of Plastic Impression Trays:

Plastic impression trays in dentistry offer several benefits, a few of which are listed below:

• Cost-effective: as compared to metallic dental impression trays, plastic dental instrument trays are more affordable and less expensive; being disposable remains the top choice for most dental practitioners.

• Convenience: These dental trays are easily handled, more convenient in storage and require fewer protocols for disinfecting and sterilization. Easily cleaned and well tolerated by patients.

• Comfort: These dental impression trays are designed to be lightweight and durable, comfortable with patients for lengthy procedures.

• Variety: one can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes, and types of perforations in trays for a wide range of tooth anatomies and the desired choice of the practitioner.

Application in Dentistry:

One can have a wide variety of applications in dentistry for plastic trays:

• Preliminary impressions: ideal for taking impressions for the fabrication of study models, and treatment planning

• Orthodontics: used for creating orthodontic appliances and retainers

• Prosthodontics: it is widely used for making impressions of dentures; RPD FPD and implant work.

• Preventive dentistry: can be used for making various appliances like custom dental trays, mouth guards and snoring devices.

Why buy Dental Impression Trays Online from Dental Avenue:

Dental Avenue offers a wide variety ranges of autoclavable impression trays in dentistry from leading manufacturers across the globe. These dental instrument trays are known for their superior quality and reliability. Their platform offers a seamless experience from selection to final delivery and exceptional customer support. Choosing quality dental products from Dental Avenue ensures patient satisfaction and better clinical outcomes.

FAQS:

Q. How to select a tray for impression?

A. Selection of tray depends on the arch size and impression material to choose from; also it depends on the clinician's choice ensuring patients' comfort is the utmost priority.

Q. What is the main function of impression tray holes?

A. The holes in the impression trays serve various purposes like overflowing of extra impression material, and also help in adherence of material, thus restricting the movement of material.

Q. Can plastic impression trays be sterilized?

A. Yes, these dental instrument autoclavable impression trays can be sterilized as per the guidelines set by the manufacturer.

Q. What is the main difference between plastic and metal impression trays?

A. According to the material choice, treatment protocols, doctor’s choice and outcome, one can choose between plastic and metal trays.