Workshop on Understand Implant Impression

Accurate impressions provide a foundation for successful implant prosthodontics. This paper is aimed at the general dental practitioner who would like to start restoring dental implants and demystifies the terminology, introduces the basic armamentarium, and discusses the relative merits of different implant impression techniques. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for making impressions using the closed and open tray techniques are provided and the importance of verification jigs is highlighted. The absence of a periodontal ligament (PDL) around a dental implant presents a challenge when restoring adjacent implants that will be splinted together. The PDL will allow a slight discrepancy between natural teeth being restored when the bridge is inserted. Unfortunately, if not captured accurately, the lack of PDL around implants will result in a lack of passive fit of the prosthesis, which may lead to crystal bone loss on the compression aspect of the bone. There are three impression techniques for implant impressions utilizing a tray: abutment-level, closed-tray, and open-tray. They are based on the type of impression abutment and how it is captured. Each of these techniques has pros and cons, and the impression material selected is dependent on the type of implant impression being utilized.