Impression-Making Made Easier
Despite continued advances in materials and techniques, the process of making an accurate and detailed fixed prosthodontic impression has remained a challenge for dental practitioners. Tissue management is a vital yet problematic part of the procedure. However, as tissue retraction product manufacturers continue to innovate, impression-making is gradually becoming a more user-friendly, predictable process.
This Compendium supplement examines the intricacies, including the drawbacks, of impression-making. In our continuing education (CE) article, the effects of mechanical and chemical tissue retraction for fixed prosthodontics are reviewed, and the use of retraction cord with or without chemicals to control sulcular hemorrhage and moisture is discussed. As the authors point out, regardless of which technique is used, threat of injury to surrounding gingiva is palpable, and practitioners must understand the risks and benefits of various retraction systems.
We also present a case report that demonstrates a new impression material delivery device aimed at enabling practitioners to more easily create precision impressions without the need for retraction cord. The pneumatic-based system helps eliminate errors by allowing dentists to more readily focus solely on the primary task of placing the impression material.
When it comes to the task of impression-making, clinicians want methods that are easy to execute and highly predictable. I hope you will put the information provided in this supplement to good use as you look to simplify your practice.
John C. Kois, DMD, MSD
Guest Editor
