Impression techniques for

complete dentures

A negative likeliness or copy

. in reverse of the surface of an
object ;
An imprint of the teeth and
adjacent structures for use in
dentistry.
GPT-7

 A COMPLETE DENTURE IMPRESSION

IS A NEGATIVE REGISTRATION OF
THE ENTIRE BEARING, STABILISING,
AND BORDER SEAL AREAS PRESENT
IN THE EDENTULOUS MOUTH.
HEART WELL

OBJECTIVES OF IMPRESSION
MAKING

Preservation of the alveolar ridge

support
stability
esthetics
retention

Preservation of alveolar ridge

M.M.De Vans dictum, it is more
important to preserve what already exists
than to replace what is missing.

 Preservation of the alveolar ridge is a very

important objective even though other factors
such as occlusion,interocclusal distance and
centric relation in harmony with centric occlusion
are great importance. Pressure in the impression
technique is reflected as pressure in the denture
base and results in the soft tissue damage and
bone resorption.

SUPPORT
Maximum coverage provides the
snowshoe effect. which distributes
applied forces over as wide an area as
possible. This helps in preservation,
stability and retention.

Areas of support
Primary
areas of the edentulous ridge that are right angles to
occlusal forces and do not resorb easily.
Maxillary
Posterior residual alveolar ridge
Flat areas of the palate
Mandible
Buccal shelf area

Secondary

areas of edentulous ridge greater than at right angle to

the occlusal forces or parallel to them .
slopes of the ridges.

Stability
The stability of a denture is its
ability to remain securely in place
when it is subjected to horizontal
movements.
Close adaptation - undistorted
mucosa.
decreases - loss of vertical height of
the ridges, flabby movable tissue.

Factors governing
stability

Ridge relationship
Arch arrangement
Balanced occlusion
Occlusal plane
Denture surface
retention

RIDGE RELATIONSHIP
A problem of stability - offset ridge relations.
Normal dental relationships - artificial teeth set on the
ridges that are in severe posterior cross bite can
affect stability.
In complete dentures the normal tooth to tooth
position may have to be altered to provide a
relationship that can enhance the stability.

 Class 3 patient - Sufficient mandibular

posterior occlusion must be developed extend posteriorly more than half the
distance from the incisive papilla to the
hamular notch.

 The severe retrognathic or prognathic ridge

relationship can be remedied only to a limited
extent through prosthetic treatment.
surgical intervention is needed.

ARCH ARRANGEMENT
indicate the buccolingual relationship of
the teeth to the crest of the ridge / the
stress bearing area.
is used only in reference to the position
of the mandibular teeth.

 The general rule - set the

anterior teeth on the anterior
part of the crest of the ridge
with an incisal tilt of about
twenty degrees
-to set the posterior
teeth over the centre of the
stress bearing part of the
basal seat.

 When one looks down on the

occlusal surface of the posterior
teeth, an equal amount of the
denture base should be seen on
both the buccal and lingual sides
of the teeth.

 narrow dental arch- the denture encroaches

upon the tongue space-an retracted tongue
position - muscle fatigue - pushes the denture
out of the mouth during relaxation of the
tongue.

BALANCED OCCLUSION
According to G.P.T., it is defined as the
bilateral, simultaneous, anterior and
posterior occlusal contact of the teeth in
centric and eccentric positions.

 Placing the teeth so that the resultant

direction of force on the functioning
side is over the ridge or slightly lingual
to it.
Having the denture base cover as wide
an area on the ridge as possible.
Placing the teeth as close to the ridge
as other factors will permit.
Using as narrow a bucco-lingual width
occlusal food table as practical.

OCCLUSAL PLANE
The starting point for establishing the
occlusal plane is the maxillary occlusal
rim.
The incisal plane :
1. Parallel to the inter-pupillary line
2. The maxillary rim is reduced to
approximately one to two millimeters
below the lower edge of the upper lip.

The occlusal plane :

1. Parallel to the campers plane
2. 1/4th inch below the stensens
duct.

The incisal plane in the mandibular

occlusal rim should be
1. Located either at or slightly below the
corners of the mouth.
2. Parallel to the crest of the ridge.
3. The plane must be slightly below the
modiolus level.

The occlusal plane in the mandibular

occlusal rim should be

Located at the junction between

anterior 2/3rd & posterior 1/3rd of
retromolar pads.
Parallel to the crest of the ridge.

 An occlusal plane too high -forces the

tongue into a higher
position- create
undue pressure on
the border of the
lingual flange.
An occlusal plane too low- the tongue
overlaps the
posterior teeth cause tongue biting.

DENTURE SURFACES
impression surface
occlusal surface
polished or external surface
Sir Wilfred Fish (1948)

impression surface
Optimal denture
stability requires
that those tissues
that provide
resistance to
horizontal forces be
properly recorded
and related to
denture base.

The occlusal surface:

the dentures must be
free of interferences
within the functional
range of movement.
all the posterior teeth
have simultaneous
contact in centric and
eccentric positions

The polished surface:

the buccal and lingual
flanges of maxillary and
mandibular dentures
should be concave to
permit positive seating by
the cheeks and lips.
development and contour of
the external surface
becomes more critical in
providing denture
stability.

Esthetics

Border thickness should be varied

with the needs of each patient in
accordance with the extent of the residual
ridge loss. The sulcus should be filled but
not over filled with the impression material.

Retention

Retention is too often given more

consideration than is necessary. If all the
other objectives are achieved retention will
be adequate. Atmospheric pressure,
cohesion, adhesion, mechanical locks and
muscle control play a role in retention.

 Atmospheric pressure
depends on the peripheral seal
to ensure seal the denture border should
extend into, but not to the extent to damage
movable tissue
Adhesion
attraction of saliva to the denture
Cohesion
Attraction of molecules of saliva to each
other

Classification

theories of
impression making

position of
the mouth

pressure theory
minimal pressure
theory
selective pressure
theory

open mouth

closed mouth

method of manipulation
for border molding

Hand
manipulation

Functional
movements

Principles

Advantage
Disadvanta
ges
Materials
used

Muco compressive

Muco static

Selective pressure

Based on greens theory

Given by PAGE based on

pascals law that the
pressure on a confined
liquid will be transmitted
trough out the liquid in all
direction.

Proposed by BOUCHER.
places maximum stress
on stress bearing area
and no/minimal stress on
the non stress bearing
area

principle is to make an
impression that would
press the tissues in
same manner as chewing
forces. Records tissues
in function and
displaced form.

Excellent retention .
peripheral seal is good
uniform load
distribution
Excessive tissue
compression
Soreness of basal seat
increased resorption of
residual ridges
Impression compound

Tissue recorded in resting

or anatomic form.

Preservation of residual
ridge

Preservation of residual
ridge

Prevents wider distribution

of stress

Creates a negative
pressure in relief areas

Impression plaster, ZOE

paste

Impression plaster, ZOE

paste

Concepts to be followed for a

Successful impression

the tissues of the mouth should be healthy.

Proper space for the selected impression
material should be provided within the
impression tray.
A guiding mechanism should be provided for
correct positioning of the impression tray in the
mouth.

 The tray and the impression material should be

made of dimensionally stable materials.
A physiological type of border-molding procedure
should be performed by the dentist or by the
patient under the guidance of the dentist.
The border must be in harmony with the
anatomical and physiological limitations of the
oral structures.

The impression must be removed from the

mouth without damage to mucous membrane of
the residual ridges.
The impression should extent to include all the
basal seat within the limits of the functions of
the supporting and limiting tissues.
The external shape of the impression must be
similar to the external form of the complete
denture.


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Patient can be receptive to material and

procedures that have
An acceptable taste
A pleasant color
No odor
A short setting time
A lessened strain factor
A reduced chair time

Preliminary impression

 It is the impression
which is used for
diagnosis and fabrication
of custom tray. The
material used is alginate
or impression compound
It can be recorded by
using stock tray
Metal or plastic
Perforated or
unperforated

 impression should be accurate

if it is inaccurate , will result in
unsatisfactory custom tray.
it will in turn require considerable effort and
time consuming modification before
secondary impression
even a correct tray will not fit the denture
bearing area perfectly
so a relatively high viscosity material to
compensate more easily for the deficiency of
the tray

Silicone putty impression

high viscosity
flow beyond the tray to
compensate tray under
extension
it is elastic and records
undercuts with reasonable
accuracy
it records surface details
poorly
it cannot be added to the
impression if part it is
deficient

irreversible hydro colloid

records details accurately
can cause defects in palate because they
do not absorb the mucous secretions
they loose moisture rapidly and can
consequently change the size
casts must de poured soon after the
impression are made
weight of the stone of the cast may be
sufficient to distort the borders of the
impressions particularly if they are not
supported by the borders of the tray

Impression compound
it is thermoplastic with
high viscosity
it flows beyond the tray
to compensate for under
extension
addition can be made to it
if part of the impression
is deficient
it records surface details
poorly
it does not record
undercuts accurately

Tray selection
The space available in the mouth for the
impression is studied carefully by
observation of the width and height of the
vestibular space
An edentulous stock tray that is 5 mm
larger than the outer surface residual ridge
is selected

 Place the tray in the

mouth centering the
labial notch of the tray
over labial frenum
The posterior extent of
the tray relative to the
posterior palatal seal
area is maintained and
then the handle is
dropped downwards to
permit visual inspection

 Border of ray should

be short of tissue
reflection
Adequate clearance in
frenal areas

 In addition soft utility

wax can be used to
line the border of the
stock tray to create a
rim that helps adapt
the borders of the tray
to the limiting tissue

 Locate the hamular

notch

Mark the vibrating

line with a indelible
marker

Impression making
practice placing the tray in position
the upper lip is elevated and the tray is carried
upward anteriorly into position with the frenum used
as a centering guide
when the tray is located properly anteriorly the index
fingers are placed in the 1st molar region on each
side of the tray with alternating pressure seat the tray
upward until the wax across the posterior part of the
tray comes into contact with the tissue in the
posterior palatal seal area
the finger of one hand are shifted into the middle of
the tray and border molding is carried out

 the labial and buccal vestibule can be

molded by asking the suck down into the
tray
mandible side to side to record the
influence of coronoid process on the shape
of buccal vestibule

Labial and buccal

borders to be
molded.

 The borders of the

custom tray should
now be determined.
The periphery is
outlined with the
disposable indelible
marker on the
impression

Mandibular preliminary
impression
Tray selection
The space available in the mouth for the
impression is studied carefully by observation
of the width and height of the vestibular space
An edentulous stock tray that is 5 mm larger
than the outer surface residual ridge is
selected

 Posteriorly retromolar
pads should be
covered
Under extension can
be covered by utility
wax

 If impression compound is used for

impression making, the technique is the
same except the borders of the stock tray
are not modified with wax.
It has a high viscosity, and unless care is
taken, it is very easy to displace the
mylohyoid muscle.

Preliminary impression using

impression compound

 the compound is placed in

the water that is maintained
at 50-55 degree C and the
compound is kneaded
repeatedly towards the
centre thus presenting a
smooth side on one side
until uniform softness
throughout is maintained

then it formed into a

suitable size roll and
placed ion the tray. it
is important that there
is enough bulk
extending beyond the
flanges so that there is
no restriction in flow
when pressed into
position over the ridge

a trough is
intended in the
compound with the
finger to stimulate
the ultimate ridge
impression. It is
again placed in hot
water and placed in
the pt mouth

 when the operator is

satisfied with the position
of the tray in relation to
the ridge, the pt is
instructed to raise and
slightly protrude the
tongue and the operator
applies vertical pressure
on the tray
pressure in backward
direction, may also be
required to counter the
forward thrust from the
tongue when protruded

 with the tray held

firmly in position
the tongue is moved
side to side which
brings forwards the
palato glossal
arches, raises the
floor of the mouth
and thus molds the
composition in the
lingual sulcus

 The impression is now

complete and the tray
is removed after the
material is set to
prevent distortion and
it is chilled in cold
water.

COMMON FAULTS IN
LOWER IMPRESSION
1 Insufficient depth, in the posterior lingual pouch.
Causes

Flange of the tray short in the region. Lack of

composition in the tray
Little force used while seating
2 Edge of the tray showing
causes:
improper seating of the tray
use of too large a tray

SECONDARY
IMPRESSION

 materials available
Impression Plaster
metallic oxide impression paste
poly ether
silicone impression materials
irreversible hydrocolloid

CONSTRUCTION OF
CUSTOM TRAY

Base plate wax approx 1mm thick is placed on the cast within the
actual border to provide space for the final impression material
Posterior palatal seal area on the cast is not covered by wax spacer
1 to achieve posterior border seal
2 guiding stop to held the tray properly
Materials used are

conventional auto polymerizing acrylic resins

thermoplastic resin sheet used in vacuum or pressure
adapting devices
thermoplastic shellac base plate materials.

Diagnostic casts

Wax spacer with tissue

stops

Custom trays made

 Additional relief
given in incisive
papilla,ruguae and
mid palatal
raphae region

Requirement of custom tray

the tray should be rigid but not overly thick
it should retain its shape through out the construction and
pouring of the impression
the method of construction should be simple enough so that
an acceptable impression tray can be made in a minimal
amount of time at a reasonable cost.
It should be possible to trim or thin the tray readily with a
bur , mounted stone, scissors, or an arbor band.
The tray should be smooth because sharp edges may injure
oral tissues.

REFINING THE CUSTOM

TRAY
When the custom tray is removed from the
preliminary cast , the wax spacer is left
inside the tray
The spacer allows the tray to be properly
position in the mouth during border
molding procedures

 Border molding is the process by which

the shape of the border of the tray is
made to confirm accurately to the
contours of the buccal labial vestibules
For border molding to be carried out
successfully space must be created for the
border molding material.
Flanges of the custom tray should be
reduced by 2mm

 Special tray is prepared

with handle

Borders should be
beveled.

 Overextensions are trimmed

Tray should be short of 2

mm from base of sulcus

Extra clearance in frenal

areas

 Border molding
It can be done either one area at a time or
simultaneously all areas can be recorded
Advantages of recording simultaneously
No of insertion is reduced to one
avoid propagation of errors caused by a
mistake in one section effecting the border
counters in another

The requirements of material to be used for

simultaneous molding
1. have sufficient body to allow it to remain in
position on the borders during loading of the tray
2. allow some pre shaping of the form of the
borders without adhering to the fingers
3. have a setting time of 3-5 minutes
4. retain adequate flow while the tray is seated in
the mouth
5. allow finger placement of the material into
deficient parts after the tray is seated
6. not cause excessive displacement of the tissue of
the vestibule
7. be readily and shaped to excess material can be
removed and the borders shaped before the final
impression is made

Masseteric notch
Tissues that influence
masseter muscle
bucccinator muscle
buccal fat pad

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes
instruct patient Masseter muscle
to close down on contracts buccinator
your fingers and muscle
the tray handle
Manually
manipulate the
buccal fat pad by
drawing the
cheek up to
bring excess
compound on to

Buccal fat pad is

elevated on to outer
peripheral border to
help seal and
stabilize denture

Distal extension area

Tissues that influence
pterygomandibular
raphe
retromolar pad

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Have patient open his

mouth wide

Pterygomandibular
raphe stretches ,
capturing the raphe
and defining the most
distal extension of
the impression
Denture base covers
the maximum amount
of bearing area

How to activate
Buccal

What activation
flange
accomplishes

Manually manipulate the

cheek with your finger
pressure upon the
denture border in an
anterior-posterior
direction

Moves the fibers of the

buccinator muscle and
the soft tissues of the
cheek in the direction of
the muscle activity during
patient function

Feel and observe the

cheek from the outside

Provides detection of
overextension of border

Buccal
How to activate

frenum
What activation

Elevate the frenum in to

the compound and then
mould the cheek in am
anterior-posterior
direction

accomplishes

Allows for freedom of

movement of the
connective tissue band
Permits a seal to form by
the manipulation of the
cheek in a back and
fourth motion;
therefore, allows
maximum seal and

Labial flange

Mentalis muscle
Incisive labii inferioris
Orbicularis oris
Labial frenum

How to
activate

What
activation
accomplishes

Hand massage
and manipulate
the lip an a
side to side
motion.

Activates the
orbicularis oris
muscle with
associated
muscles of facial

Instruct the
patient to
evert the
lower lip

Activates the
mentalis
muscle against
the compound

expression.

Activates the
orbicularis oris
Instruct the pt muscle with
to lick the
associated

How to activate
Labial

Elevate the frenum into

the compound and then
massage the lip with a
side to side motion

What activation
frenum
accomplishes

Allows for freedom of

movement of connective
tissue formed frenum
Permits a seal to form by
the molding of the area
using the side to side
movement of the lip;
therefore, maximum seal

Retromolar area and retro

mylohyoid curtain
Superior constrictor muscle
Glossopalatine muscle

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Instruct the patient

to push his tongue
against the handle
and then bite down
on yours fingers on
top of the handle

Both the muscles

contracts and limits
the denture border

Instruct the patient

to move his tongue

While biting internal

pterygoid contracts
and limits the border
This tongue
movement moves
impression material

Mylohyoid area

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Have the patient

perform repetitive
forced swallowing

Causes a forcible
contraction of the
mylohyoid muscle fibers;
moves the compound
inferiorly and medially

Instruct the patient to

move his tongue into the
upper and lower
vestibules on each side
of his mouth

Raises the floor of the

mouth through
contraction of mylohyoid
The amount of movement
of the floor of the

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Contour the
border and the
outer surface of
the flange to
pass under the
tongue

The denture border can

extend inferiorly and
medially to the mylohyoid
ridge so as to ;
help prevent soreness of
the tissues over the ridge
have the tongue rest
upon the outer polished
surface of the denture to

Sublingual fold space

Tissues that influence

genioglossus muscle

tongue

lingual frenum

folds of mucosa covering the genioglossus

muscle and sublingual gland

mylohyoid muscle

How to
activate

What activation accomplishes

Causes slight contraction of the

genioglossus muscle, which
Instruct
pushes against the tissue
the
patient to superior to it. Only mild
gently wet activation of the genioglossus
his upper muscle is accomplished so that
the lingual flange in this area is
an lower
gradually reduced until the most
lips with

Lingual frenum

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Instruct the patient

to protrude his
tongue slightly and
move it from side to
side. Make sure that
the compound is
warmed only in the

Allows freedom of
the lingual frenum
connective tissue
band to prevent the
denture from being
dislodged during
normal tongue

Lingual frenum

Retrozygomatic
area
Buccinator
muscle fibres and overlying mucosa
How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Manually push
softened compound
into the
retrozygomatic area
with the ball of your
index finger ; the
patient mouth should

Enables compound to
occupy this space
which is often
blocked by the
coronoid process

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Instruct the
patient to pull in
on your finger
with his lips, and
manipulate the
cheek in an
anterior posterior
and downward
direction.

Activates the
buccinater muscle
fiber and moves
the overlying
mucosa

Instruct the

Causes the
masseter muscle

Retrozygomatic area and

coronoid process areas

 Coronoid process
fibres process
of the temporal
Coronoid
muscles attached to coronoid process
How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Instruct the patient

to open wide then
close and move his
mandible to the
opposite side

Activates the
coronoid process and
the attached fibers
of the temporal
muscle against the
modeling plastic

Molding of coronoid process

Zygomatic and buccal frenal

area
Tissues that mold
Buccinator muscle
Zygomatico maxillary crest
Buccal frenal and associated muscles of
facial expression

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Manually mold the

cheek in a side to
side direction.
Instruct the pt to
pull his cheeks in on
your finger.

Stimulates the
movement of the
buccinator muscles
and associated soft
tissues; the lip
movement causes the
buccinator muscle to
contract improves
esthetic form of lips
and cheeks

Buccal frenum
How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Pull the buccal

frenum

Activates the
connective tissue of
frenum while
simultaneously
causing movement of
the associated
muscles of facial
expression (canninus
and orbicularis oris

Labial flange

Tissues that mold

Orbicularis oris
quadratus labii inferosis
risorius

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

mold this area

externally using your
fingers to move the
lip back and forth
while simultaneously
applying pressure to

Manually manipulate
the lips with their
associated
musculature to seal
the denture border in
displaceable tissue;

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

instruct the patient

to lick his upper lip;
do this with only the
surface of the
compound heated

Moves the orbicularis

oris in a common
activity

Observe esthetic

Causes compound to
be added or removed
to confirm to

Labial frenum
How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

lift the upper lip

vertically , place the
frenum into the
compound ,and then
manually mold this
area externally by
moving the lip while
simultaneously
applying pressure to

Manually manipulates
the tissue of the
frenum in the
compound to give it
freedom to function;
the pressure ensures
both a seal in the
displaceable tissue
and esthetic form

Posterior palatal seal area

Tissues that mold
Pterygomaxillary raphe
Pterygoid hamulus and hamular notch
Palato pharyngeus muscle
Palato glossus muscle
Tensor veli palatini muscle
Levator veli palatini

How to activate

What activation
accomplishes

Instruct the patient to

open wide

Causes the
Pterygomaxillary raphe
to become more taut

Hold the patients

nostrils closed with your
fingers; instruct the
patient to blow through
his nose

Causes the soft palate to

depress against the
modeling plastic trough
contraction of the tensor
veli palatini, delineating
the junction of the hard
and soft palate

Add an additional layer

Displaces the posterior

Refining of maxillary
impression trays

Add low fusing

compound to the buccal
flange beginning distal
to the buccal frenum
attachment area,
extending distally to
include the hamular
notch and across the
posterior seal area and
ask the patient to make
lateral movements of the
mandible

Molded buccal and labial

borders.

Recording the frenum

Excess compound on
tissue side trimmed.

 Compound placed on
posterior border

Tray seated in mouth

with firm pressure
Junction of tray and
compound smoothened

Refining of Mandibular
impression tray
The buccal shelf area
should be developed
bilaterally. This
bilateral procedure
will ensure the proper
seating of the tray as
the rest of the borders
are refined.

Seat the tray in

the patient mouth
and ask the
patient to open
the mouth with
the operator
applying
downward
pressure. This
action forces the
masseter muscle
into action, which
in turn forces the
buccinator to
create the
masseter groove

 The labial flange

is developed
unilaterally by
pulling the lips
downwards ,
outwards and
inwards to mould
the labial flange
so as in the
buccal flange

 The disto lingual posterior mylohyoid

areas should be developed
bilaterally( placing the compound on the
lingual flange extending up to the retro
molar papilla). Then ask the patient to
protrude the tongue which activates the
mylohyoid muscle and elevates the floor
of the mouth and determines the length
and slope of the lingual flange in the
molar region

Border molding in lingual

areas

Border molded mandibular

tray

PREPARING THE TRAY TO

SECURE THE FINAL
IMPRESSION

Space must now be created

Spacer wax is removed
0.5mm is removed from the inner, outer, and top
surface of the border
the material over posterior area is not adjusted
( three functions)
1. displace the soft tissue at the distal end of the
denture to enhance posterior border seal;
2. it serves as a guide for positioning the tray
properly for the final impression
3. it helps prevents excess impression to the throat
holes can be placed in the palate of the
impression tray with a medium sized round bur

Completed maxillary final

impression

Completed mandibular final

impression

Impression technique for

hyper mobile ridges
The special tray is constructed with relief
wax placed over the mobile ridge.
Border molding is carried out and the final
impression is made after removing the wax
spacer using a free flowing material.