There are many factors that contribute to the success of restorative solutions, says Alistair Mayoh.
There are many factors that contribute to the success of restorative solutions. Everything from patient satisfaction to the functionality and aesthetics of the prosthetic provided should be considered.
As is true in any area of dentistry and for any product requested of and produced by the dental laboratory, communication between dentist and technician is key. The transfer of information from practice to laboratory is crucial for achieving a highly accurate and aesthetic prosthetic first time. Part of this communication involves the creation and transportation of a precise impression. The dental technician can use this to fulfil the prescription.
Though other techniques are available, many dentists and dental technicians continue to use analogue impressions very successfully. The technology required for digital impressions might be prohibitively expensive. Also, the individuals may prefer the conventional workflow and achieve better results with it.
In addition, research often shows little difference in the level of accuracy possible with analogue and digital impressions. There are challenges to overcome with both workflows. The entire dental team plays a role in optimising the procedure in either case.
For those who choose conventional techniques, dentist and dental technician must work together for the best results. To ensure the best possible impression, dentists are responsible for managing patient expectations, effective site preparation and moisture control, appropriate impression material selection, and the avoidance of bubbles and distortions. Dental technicians are tasked with the fabrication of highly accurate models and prosthetics.
Optimising the impression tray
However, before all of this happens, an impression tray must be selected. Clinicians can use standard trays or work with their laboratory to create a custom-made solution that is tailored to the anatomy of their patient.
The custom-made impression tray has become a staple for many dental technicians chasing the highest quality standards for indirect restorations. It offers several clinical advantages compared to its pre-fabricated counterpart, each contributing to the end result.
For example, a personalised tray design can ensure greater dimensional accuracy and stability with a uniform material thickness.
It can also reduce the risk of distortions if a more rigid design is utilised. There are cost-efficiencies available, too, with less material wastage and a lower potential for re-makes as treatment progresses. All of this is in addition to the benefits afforded by totally customised treatment for the patient. This facilitates a more accurate impression and greater patient comfort.
With several customisable tray materials on the market, selecting the right one for the case is key. This will depend on the type of tray design, as well as the technician’s personal preference and the solutions available to them in the lab.
Other material properties such as working time, curing time, ease of handling and cost-effectiveness should also be explored to find the best option for the laboratory and, ultimately, the patient.
A trusted brand
Just as with any materials used in dentistry, the reputation and reliability of the brand chosen is always a contributing factor. Clinicians need to have confidence in the research and development of materials they choose. They also need access to technical support and advice from a team who knows what they’re talking about.
For these reasons and several others, many dental technicians choose Kemdent Light-Cure Tray material. As one of the most cost-effective materials on the market, this option benefits technicians, dentists and patients alike. The material has an infinite working time and is non-sticky, while being easy to adapt and trim means less wastage.
It can then be cured quickly under halogen and UVA light in just a few minutes, when it becomes extremely rigid and dimensionally stable for minimal risk of distortions and maximum chance of highly accurate impression trays. Full product and workflow details can be found on the website.
Patient first doesn’t mean technician last
Modern dentistry is patient-centred and all about delivering the best dental care and treatment for each individual. However, you can achieve this while optimising the experience for the dental technician (and dentist). Impressions are an important part in the restorative workflow.
They ultimately impact the accuracy precision fit of any prosthetics fabricated for the patient, and therefore their satisfaction. Making the right choices from the very beginning of the process, with reliable and cost-effective impression tray manufacturer, will make sure all parties are happy with the outcomes.
For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256.
This article first appeared in Laboratory magazine. You can read the latest issue here.
