Maximizing Impression-Taking Efficiency and Accuracy
Obtaining a patient’s dental impression can present many challenges. One must keep the area free of saliva and blood, have good access to margins and often deal with a variety of viscosities of impression materials, that must be mixed and injected simultaneously to obtain an accurate impression. Warmer room temperatures adversely affect the setting time by giving the dentist less intra-oral working time.
The PowerMix™ (Clinician’s Choice®) impression delivery system solves a variety of chairside impression issues. The unit (FIG. 1) operates as a battery-powered or plug-in unit designed to deliver through 120 mL cartridges, the heavy body impression material, in addition to an alginate substitute, CounterFit™ II (Clinician’s Choice®).
The unit is portable and can be handheld or used in the holder. The advantage you will notice immediately is the power and speed in which the impression material is dispensed from the unit. Not only is the tray filled fast, but you do not have any preliminary set of the material, especially on a full arch tray where slower mixers or hand dispensing units can allow the first material extruded to begin the setting phase. Speed is essential when you are controlling moisture and ensuring patient comfort.
The case demonstrated is using Clinician’s Choice Affinity™ InFlex PVS Fast Set tray material (FIG. 2) with Affinity VPS Light Body Regular Flow Fast Set for a single crown impression. (FIG. 3)
The tray is a Quad-Tray® XL, which helps contain the material and prevent flexure of the tray, for increased accuracy. When margins are close to the gingival level or below FIG. 3 it, often retraction cord may not expose the entire margin. Utilizing a higher viscosity material, such as InFlex can push the light body material sub-gingivally and adapt to the margin and cervical areas of adjacent teeth. From time of mix until removal, the total cure time is 2:55 min. The final result is an excellent impression. (FIG. 4)
Conclusion
The PowerMix is an excellent addition to the restorative dental team’s armamentarium by having a portable, cost-effective power impression mixing unit. Combined with a variety of impression materials for different applications, crown and bridge, dental implants, models and the right impression trays, a predictable final restoration is ensured.
Clinical Case
FIG. 1
PowerMix Dispenser in the stand loaded with the Affinity InFlex 120 mL cartridge.
FIG. 2
PowerMix Dispenser in the stand loaded with the Affinity InFlex 120 mL cartridge.
FIG. 3
Affinity™ InFlex Fast Set tray material extrudes from the PowerMix onto Quad-Tray XL.
FIG. 4
Affinity Light Body gets pushed subgingivally and adapts to the margin and cervical areas of adjacent teeth.
Total cure time is 2:55 min from mix until removal. Final result of a single crown impression.
Images courtesy of Fred H. Peck, DDS, FAACD, FICD
About the Author
Fred H. Peck, DDS, FAACD, FICD
Dr. Fred Peck is in private practice in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Peck is an accredited fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He lectures and teaches hands on seminars related to cosmetic dentistry.
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This article was originally published in the Clinical Life™ magazine: Fall 2021 edition
Clinical Life™ magazine is a premier periodical publication by Clinical Research Dental Supplies & Services Inc. Discover compelling clinical cases from Canadian and US dental professionals, cutting-edge techniques, product insights, and continuing education events.
