Implant Impression Techniques
Posted on 07/18/2011
The difficulty that many doctors face with regards to restoring implants is recognizing the correct parts to use when taking the impression. This challenge should not be trivialized - with over thirty commonly used implant systems, it is a daunting task for a doctor to recognize the correct parts. In addition, as each system offers multiple parts for different techniques, a doctor familiar with even a standard Nobel Replace Select implant may find that he is confused when he sees a plastic transfer coping given to him by the surgeon, instead of his traditional metal transfer. Over the next few blogs, we will discuss several techniques and their associated parts for the more common systems.
To get started, we will begin by classifying the two most common implant impression techniques as: (1) IMPLANT FIXTURE LEVEL IMPRESSION, (2) ABUTMENT LEVEL IMPRESSION.
The IMPLANT FIXTURE LEVEL IMPRESSION refers to the technique where the final abutment is NOT in the mouth. The doctor's goal is to transfer the position of the implant directly to the model. The doctor will take an impression of the implant fixture itself using a transfer part. The key components for this technique are: (1) impression coping, (2) impression coping screw (aka Long Screw), (3) Implant Analog.
The ABUTMENT LEVEL IMPRESSION refers to the technique where the final abutment is already screwed or otherwise secured to the implant in the mouth. The doctor will take an impression of the abutment as if it were a standard prepared tooth, or he may use a transfer basket made of plastic or metal. The transfer basket is placed over the abutment and requires the use of an abutment analog.
To get started, we will begin by classifying the two most common implant impression techniques as: (1) IMPLANT FIXTURE LEVEL IMPRESSION, (2) ABUTMENT LEVEL IMPRESSION.
The IMPLANT FIXTURE LEVEL IMPRESSION refers to the technique where the final abutment is NOT in the mouth. The doctor's goal is to transfer the position of the implant directly to the model. The doctor will take an impression of the implant fixture itself using a transfer part. The key components for this technique are: (1) impression coping, (2) impression coping screw (aka Long Screw), (3) Implant Analog.
The ABUTMENT LEVEL IMPRESSION refers to the technique where the final abutment is already screwed or otherwise secured to the implant in the mouth. The doctor will take an impression of the abutment as if it were a standard prepared tooth, or he may use a transfer basket made of plastic or metal. The transfer basket is placed over the abutment and requires the use of an abutment analog.
