Intraoral scanners (IOSs) are widely used in the fabrication of fixed dental prostheses, in that their accuracy compares well with traditional impression making.
1
Recently, IOSs have been successfully used in the fabrication of removable dental prostheses.2
, 3
, 4
, 5
Digital impressions are useful for patients with a gag reflex and sensitivity to impression materials.2
, 3
, 4
Moreover, IOSs can register excessively movable tissue in a passive state to achieve a mucostatic impression.2
, 3
, , 7
However, scanning edentulous area with IOSs may be difficult and time-consuming, because edentulous sites are smooth and devoid of features.8
The stitching process may be faulty, especially in the palatal area.8
This article introduces a time-saving technique that easily captures tissues, prevents incorrect data processing, and uses common and inexpensive materials.Procedure
- 1.Mix pressure-indicating paste (Pressure Indicator Paste; Mizzy Inc) and interim zinc oxide-eugenol cement (Temp-Bond; Kerr Corp).9
- 2.While retracting the vestibules (Fig. 1), dry the edentulous area and draw irregular shapes on the residual ridges with the mixture and the dental microapplicator (Microbrush; Microbrush Intl). Connect the shapes with lines toward the center of the palate (Fig. 2).
![Figure thumbnail gr1]()
Figure 1Occlusal view of maxillary arch with anterior movable tissue.![Figure thumbnail gr2]()
Figure 2Irregular shapes and lines drawn with mixture of pressure-indicating paste and zinc oxide-eugenol cement. - 3.Scan the edentulous area with the IOS (TRIOS Color Pod; 3Shape Inc) (Fig. 3). If incorrect stitching is noted, rescan from the drawn area to the inaccurately stitched area. After the scan procedure, soak a piece of gauze in the removal liquid (PIP Remover; Mizzy Inc) and clean the edentulous area with it.
![Figure thumbnail gr3]()
Figure 3Software view of mucostatic impression of maxillary arch.
Acknowledgments
The author thanks Hye-Jung Yun for technical assistance.
References
- Digital versus conventional impressions for fixed prosthodontics: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Prosthet Dent. 2016; 116: 184-190
- Intraoral scanning of hard and soft tissues for partial removable dental prosthesis fabrication.J Prosthet Dent. 2014; 112: 444-448
- Use of intraoral digital scanning for a CAD/CAM-fabricated milled bar and superstructure framework for an implant-supported, removable complete dental prosthesis.J Prosthet Dent. 2015; 113: 509-515
- Fabrication of a definitive obturator from a 3D cast with a chairside digital scanner for a patient with severe gag reflex: a clinical report.J Prosthet Dent. 2015; 114: 735-738
- The use of digital impressions to fabricate tooth-supported partial removable dental prostheses: a clinical report.J Prosthodont. 2016; 25: 495-497
- Mucostatics.Ticonium Contacts. 1946; 4: 7
- Complete mucostatic impression: a new attempt.J Prosthodont. 2012; 21: 209-214
- Assessing the feasibility and accuracy of digitizing edentulous jaws.J Am Dent Assoc. 2013; 114: 914-920
- Technique for identifying keratinized gingival tissue and soft tissue morphology on 3-dimensional implant-planning software images.J Prosthet Dent. 2016; 116: 21-24
Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 27, 2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 by the Editorial Council for The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
30377-8&id=gr1.jpg){kind=link}
30377-8&id=gr2.jpg){kind=link}
30377-8&id=gr3.jpg){kind=link}