The dual-arch impression can provide an accurate record of the preparation site, opposing arch and bite registration. Furthermore, these procedures can significantly reduce chair time. From a patient perspective, they also mitigate gagging, making impressions more comfortable for patients and easier for practitioners to perform successfully.
For many dual-arch impressions, plastic trays are used. Unfortunately, these devices can greatly compromise the accuracy of the impression and negatively impact the overall procedural result. From biting and swallowing to lingual bar movement and impression material hydraulics, various forces can cause plastic trays to flex as the impression is taken. This, in turn, produces critical discrepancies of up to 210 microns. Resulting distortions can create marginal fit and interproximal contact issues, ultimately having a negative effect on the quality of the restoration.
To avoid retakes and excessive adjustments, clinicians should utilize an inflexible metal tray for dual-arch impressions. The QUAD-TRAY® Xtreme™ from Clinician’s Choice features a rigid, memory-free aluminum construction and low sidewalls. These properties work together to resist flex and axial roll— common causes of distortion with plastic trays. The QUAD-TRAY Xtreme also possesses a wide arch to prevent burn-through of teeth, as well as a thin, tapered distal bar and shorter lingual wall to combat impingement.
With the ability to impress up to four teeth, the QUAD-TRAY Xtreme is exceptionally versatile and can be adjusted to fit any patient’s mouth. Its unique design makes tray placement easy and impression material is firmly secured by two upper and lower retention bars. The QUAD-TRAY Xtreme is also the only metal tray with attached mesh—this stops impression material from dripping and promotes flow around the distal wall for added security between material and tray. The mesh is extended slightly upward toward the handle of the QUAD-TRAY Xtreme which allows for complete capture of up to four teeth.
To learn more about the QUAD-TRAY Xtreme and order the product for your practice, visit Clinician’s Choice’s website.