Taking an Implant impression is also known as taking an Implant tooth impression, however, it is not only used when planting Implant teeth, but this technique can also be applied when covering porcelain teeth or making removable dentures. This is an important step to support the porcelain tooth fabrication process and can be done by many different methods.
1. What is taking an Implant impression?
Taking an Implant impression is a dental impression technique in dentistry, not only implanting Implants but also covering porcelain teeth or making removable dentures using this method. Taking dental impressions in dental implants creates an accurate physical model of the entire jaw. From there, technicians can create and design porcelain teeth to fit the implant.
2. Why is it necessary to take dental impressions when placing dental implants?
When performing dental implants or other dental restoration methods, taking dental impressions is an indispensable technique and can bring the following benefits:
– Helps doctors record the condition of the teeth and jaws before starting treatment and restoration.
– Creates a basis for the porcelain tooth fabrication process to take place accurately, 100% close to the implant pillar.
– Helps doctors diagnose and give a specific treatment plan and time for each different tooth case.
Taking dental impressions is a very important step because if there is an error, it cannot be corrected when moving to the next step. Whether the porcelain teeth are properly positioned and accurate is also directly affected by the dental impression process. If there is a problem when taking the dental impression, the dental implant will be subject to many negative impacts, even affecting the bone integration process, leading to a series of other serious complications.
Therefore, taking the dental impression requires the technique to be absolutely precise, ensuring that no errors occur. At the same time, the following requirements must be ensured: Take enough samples of the teeth, the dental impression must not be distorted or have air bubbles on the top.
3. What methods can be used to take dental implant impressions?
The doctor can take dental implant impressions using the following methods:
3.1. Taking dental impressions with plaster
Gypsum is the most common initial material used to take dental impressions today. Taking dental impressions with this material can ensure high accuracy when it is necessary to copy the surface thanks to its inherent fluidity. However, using plaster causes discomfort or even nausea for the patient. In addition, this technique is very difficult to perform and has the risk of flowing into the airway.
3.2. Taking dental impressions with Alginate
Alginate is often used in practice, especially in dental impressions. This material can be used at different levels of fluidity depending on the ratio of water and powder. Alginate creates a slight elasticity, so it is suitable for restoration in cases where the gum groove is narrow and not clearly visible.
This material can be in contact with water, is low cost and can be selected with the appropriate viscosity by changing the ratio of powder and water. Although Alginate allows easy replication of the tooth surface, when taking a dental impression with this material, the model must be poured immediately.
3.2. Taking dental impressions with 3D Scan technology
3D dental scan is a jaw impression service that uses light technology to scan digital images in the oral cavity to create a 3D image including teeth, gums and bite between the two jaws with absolute precision. From the obtained image data, the scanning system creates a 3D tooth model with the highest level of authenticity.
3D tooth scanning method is a new step forward in the field of dentistry, highly appreciated for its outstanding advantages such as:
– Fast implementation in just 1 minute
– Helps avoid tooth mark deformation because the tooth mark is simulated by 3D image instead of physical display.
– Produces 3D image with absolute accuracy
– Ensures safety for oral health as well as creates comfort for patients because no material has to be inserted into the oral cavity.
4. When is the dental implant impression taken?
Taking dental impressions of the Implant is to serve the porcelain tooth fabrication process, so it will take place after the Implant pillar is firmly integrated into the jawbone. The bone integration time depends on the type of Implant pillar that the customer chooses.
Most types of pillars have an integration time into the jawbone of 2-3 months. Some high-end pillars such as the Swiss Straumann Implant pillar with optimal design help shorten the time to 3-4 weeks.
5. Implant impression process
The Implant impression process of each method is also different:
5.1. Implant impression process using plaster
First, use Alginate powder to pour into the dental impression tray, avoiding the powder from spilling out. Then, the doctor will place the impression tray with powder on the patient’s teeth for about 5-7 minutes. Finally, the plaster powder will be poured into the impression tray, wait about 1 hour for the plaster powder to harden and finish the tooth impression process.
5.2. Implant impression process using 3D Scan technology
The Implant impression process using 3D Scan technology includes the following basic steps:
5.2.1. 3D Scan
First, the doctor will use a 3D Scan machine to get dental data in the form of a 3D file. From this drawing, the doctor will assess the overall condition in the most intuitive way.
5.2.2. 3D design
Next, the 3D image will be transferred to specialized software for surface processing. At this step, the technician will complete the 3D drawing by fixing the areas that the scanner did not scan completely.
5.2.3. 3D printing
With the traditional method, the printing step is often processed on a CNC machine with complex operations that require the operator to have experience. Meanwhile, the 3D printing method is performed more simply and quickly.
So taking the Implant impression is an important step in the Implant placement process. This technique helps the doctor have data to accurately diagnose the condition of the jawbone and bite, and at the same time serves as the basis for the porcelain crown to be crafted accurately and fit the Implant pillar. For this technique to be safe and quick, customers can choose BIK International Dental Clinic to have their teeth impressions taken using the most advanced 3D Scan method available today.
