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Types of Dental Impression Trays

Types of Dental Impression Trays

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So much emphasis is placed on picking the right impression material, and rightfully so - it can influence your efficiency, patient comfort, and the outcome of your impression. But so can the impression tray you choose to use.

Understanding all the different types of dental impression trays you have at your disposal is an essential part of taking high-quality impressions and ensuring positive patient outcomes. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide breaking down all the common styles:

  • Full arch trays
  • Quadrant trays
  • Sectional trays
  • Edentulous trays

From perforated to non-perforated trays, and standard styles to custom solutions, we’ll cover all the options you have to choose from. You’ll also learn about actually choosing the right style for any given procedure.

The best part? All the types of impression trays you need in your dental practice are right here at My DDS Supply, where you’ll also get the lowest prices backed by world-class customer service along the way. Browse our dental impression trays today!

What are Dental Impression Trays?

Dental impression trays hold and shape the material used to capture an accurate impression of a patient's teeth and gums - be it dental alginate impression material or VPS impression material.

They come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different areas of the mouth, allowing dental professionals to obtain precise molds for a variety of procedures. 

The impressions taken using these trays are often used for creating dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances.

All the Different Types of Dental Impression Trays

Using the right tray can make or break the results of the impression. In fact, most of the bad alginate impression results we see are often due to improper tray selection. So, what are the different types of dental impression trays you have to choose from?

Full Arch Trays

These are used to capture impressions of the entire dental arch, including all the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They’re essential for procedures requiring a complete mold of the patient’s mouth, such as creating dentures, full arch bridges, or orthodontic appliances. 

Quadrant Trays

Quadrant trays are smaller, and as the name suggests, only cover one quadrant of the mouth - either the left or right side of the upper or lower arch. 

They’re typically used when a dentist needs to capture a detailed impression of a specific area, such as for a single crown or a small bridge. 

Sectional Trays

Sectional trays are designed to capture impressions of specific sections of the dental arch, often used for partial restorations or repairs. These trays are useful when dealing with smaller areas that require precise detail, such as inlays, onlays, or veneers. 

Sectional trays are often employed when the full arch or quadrant impressions are unnecessary, allowing for a more efficient and comfortable process for the patient.

Edentulous Trays

Edentulous trays are specialized trays used for patients who have no teeth. These trays are designed to capture the contours of the gums and underlying bone structure, which helps with creating well-fitting dentures or other prosthetics. 

Because the anatomy of an edentulous mouth is different from one with teeth, these trays are shaped to accommodate the unique needs of these patients, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for their prosthetic devices.

Perforated vs Non-Perforated Trays

Perforated trays have small holes throughout the tray’s surface. This allows the impression material to flow through and create mechanical retention, holding the material securely in place. 

These trays are particularly useful with alginate or other impression materials that may require extra support to stay attached to the tray during removal. 

Non-perforated trays, on the other hand, rely on the adhesive to keep the impression material in place. They’re often used with materials like silicone or polyether, which naturally adhere better to smooth surfaces.

Stock vs Custom Trays

Most of the time you’ll be able to get by with standard trays, as these are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the majority of your procedures.

However, there may be times when these stock trays don’t provide the most accurate impressions or the most comfortable fit for the patient. That’s where custom trays come in. 

These are typically fabricated using an initial impression and are designed to fit the patient’s unique oral anatomy precisely. They’re used in complex cases where high accuracy is essential, such as in the fabrication of dentures, bridges, or implants. 

Choosing the Right Impression Tray for a Specific Patient

With an understanding of all the different types of impression trays used in dentistry, you should feel a bit more confident in choosing the right one of any given application. Here are a few more tips in case you aren’t sure, though.

Size and Shape

A properly sized tray should comfortably fit the patient's mouth, covering all relevant teeth and soft tissues without causing discomfort. 

The tray should be large enough to capture the full arch (or section of the arch) but not so large that it presses against the gums or causes gagging. Here are a few of the different sizes available here at My DDS Supply:

We also have a few specialized trays based on shape to take impressions from specific areas of the patient’s mouth. 

For example, our #7 Upper Left Lower Right and #8 Upper Right Lower Left trays accommodate quadrant impressions, ideal for partial denture fabrication or crown and bridge work. 

Or, you can use our #9 Anterior Upper and #10 Anterior Lower for capturing impressions of the front teeth, where detail and accuracy are paramount. 

We’ll talk more about what makes our perforated, autoclave-ready trays the #1 choice for a variety of applications in just a few moments. Let's talk materials, first.

Material Considerations

The material you use can impact both the outcome of the impression and the patient experience along the way. Common materials include metal, plastic, and acrylic.

  • Metal trays are often preferred for their rigidity, as this ensures minimal distortion of the impression material. 
  • Plastic trays are lighter and more cost-effective, making them a popular choice in many practices. 
  • Acrylic trays offer a balance between rigidity and comfort, seen as the “best of both worlds.”

It’s important to account for your sterilization process in choosing trays as well. You want to make sure the trays you use are autoclavable as this will enhance the productivity of your practice.

Find the Most Diverse Selection of Dental Trays at My DDS Supply!

No matter what types of impression trays you need, you can rest assured we’ve got them here at My DDS Supply. This is your one-stop shop for all the essentials that keep your practice running smoothly. 

All our trays are sold in bags of 12 and feature a perforated design for precise material flow and accurate impressions. They’re autoclavable too to maintain efficiency in your practice while prioritizing hygiene. 

These are a great investment because the durable materials they’re made from ensure a long useful life. You’ll be able to use them time and time again. Your patients will be glad you chose these, too, as they’re designed to fit comfortably.

You can find all the other dental impression tools and supplies you need as well - from bite registration material to bite registration trays, temporary crown material, temporary dental cement, dental mixing tips, and a whole lot more.

Don’t settle for less than the best in your practice. You worked too hard to get where you are, and your patients deserve a world-class dental experience. Source all the different types of impression trays at My DDS Supply today!

Wrapping Up Our Guide on the Types of Impression Trays Used in Dentistry

There you have it, all the different types of dental impression trays available on the market to help you take accurate impressions and provide a comfortable experience for your patients.

Choosing the right tray is essential, so account for size, shape, and material as you prepare for a procedure. Remember, every detail matters in the world of dentistry, especially when taking impressions.

You can find more resources in our blog such as what is alginate used for in dentistry, how to mix alginate impression material, what is dental alginate made of, how to make dental impressions at home, how to make a temporary crown, how strong is dental cement, how long does dental cement last, and more.

Otherwise, set yourself up for success with our extensive selection of high-quality dental impression trays at My DDS Supply. Equip your practice with the best tools to deliver exceptional care!