As a dental professional, you know how important it is to get every detail right. As part of that, one crucial component of denture reline/repair is taking a wash impression.
While it may seem like a small detail, a good impression can drastically improve the fit and overall effectiveness of the denture.
Here, we’ll offer a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you get the perfect impression every time.
Step 1: Preparing for the Wash Impression
Before taking a wash impression, ensure that the denture is clean, dry, and free of any debris.
Remove any excess moisture with a tissue or cloth. Also, ensure that the patient’s mouth is clean and free of debris.
Have the patient rinse their mouth with water, if possible, before beginning the process.
Step 2: Choose Your Wash Material
Once the prep work is out of the way, you’ll need to choose your wash material.
We recommend using a light-bodied wash material, since it has a lower viscosity, making it easier to flow into the nooks and crannies of the denture.
Your chosen material should also have a reasonable working time, so you have enough time to place it slowly around the denture.
Step 3: Preparation of Wash Material and Denture
Mix your wash material according to the manufacturer’s instructions and inject it into the denture.
Insert it into the patient’s mouth and adjust its position.
Have the patient bite down slightly while you guide them into an appropriate biting position. Note that this is a crucial step to assure the denture is in the proper position and that the occlusion is correct.
Be careful though: one common mistake is to place the denture in the mouth and hold it in place. This can lead to extra material inside the denture, creating a denture that has high occlusion after the reline.
Also, be sure to do any border molding movements so that the lab can see if the borders need to be extended.
Step 4: Removal and Inspection
Once the material has set, remove the denture from the patient’s mouth, then inspecting for any air bubbles, burn through, or distortions.
Keep in mind that the wash needs to stay securely in the denture so the lab can pour an accurate model for the reline.
Bringing It Together
Taking a wash impression for a denture reline/repair can be a straightforward process, provided you have the right tools and techniques.
With this step-by-step guide, we hope you have a better understanding of how to take an accurate wash impression.
By following these steps precisely, you can ensure that your denture reline/repair process is smooth and effective, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes, satisfaction, and retention.
And of course, if you ever need assistance, our experienced and expert staff are always here to answer any of your questions, offer guidance, or provide suggestions for even your toughest cases.
We pride ourselves on creating some of the finest removables, dentures, and implants available today, with the goal of providing you and your patients a reason to smile.
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About First Choice Dental Lab
First Choice Dental Lab is a full-service dental lab with locations in Downers Grove, Il. & Wauwatosa, Wi.
We manufacture & customize quality dental restorations for general dentists. We create smiles based on your needs and budget.
We’re here to help you give your patients a reason to smile!
Request your fee schedule today by completing the form on this page.
