Improving Impression Efficiency and Comfort: Directed Flow Impression Trays By 3-M ESPE

One of the most challenging dental procedures to attempt on a person with developmental disabilities is the taking of impressions. This is true for any reasons which involve the person’s ability to comply and tolerate with many of the steps involved in the entire process. Some of these steps include having to try in several trays due to the variety of sizes available, the unpleasant odor associated with applying tray adhesive, placement of the filled tray in the patient’s mouth, and overflow of the impression material while you are waiting for it to fully set-up. Almost all patients have a hard time tolerating these procedures, but this is especially true for persons with developmental disabilities. Without the ability to successfully tolerate intra oral impressions, many beneficial dental treatment choices become unavailable to the special needs patient.

While attending a dental conference several years ago, I learned about an impression tray from 3M-ESPE that has design features intended to eliminate or lessen several of the unpleasant and unpredictable aspects of impression taking.

This product is called the Directed Flow Impression Tray, and it has several innovative characteristics. First, the design of this tray is based on several anatomical studies utilizing Cad/Cam technology which enabled 3-M-ESPE to produce a tray requiring only three sizes for upper and lower impressions. As a result, there are potentially fewer tray try-ins, and the amount of inventory necessary for the office to maintain is lowered. Second, these trays do not require the use of a tray adhesive, because they are designed with a built-in, self-retentive fleece strip that holds the impression material in place. Removing the need for an adhesive eliminates several operator steps and spares the patient having to tolerate the unpleasant tray adhesive odor. The self-retentive fleece strip also has striations that act as a barrier to prevent occlusal flat spots and tooth-to-tray contact points. The Directed Flow Impression Tray has a surrounding retention lip that reduces the overflow of impression material, and a built-in reservoir for the impression material that significantly reduces gagging and can dramatically increase a patient’s compliance and comfort. Finally, these trays are constructed from a rigid plastic material that makes them remarkably stable for almost all types of final and preliminary impressions.

Directed Flow Impression Trays are manufactured by 3M-ESPE and are available through most major dental supply companies. These trays can be purchased in three sizes (small, medium and large) for both the maxillary and mandibular arches. They cost approximately $9.75 for a single bag of 10 trays, and if you choose to purchase three or more bags, the cost goes down to approximately $9.25 per bag of 10 trays.

Any product that increases patient comfort and compliance during impression procedures is something that could benefit any dental office, and especially those that treat persons with developmental disabilities. I would highly recommend these unique impression trays to all dental professionals.

Dr. Carlton Horbelt has served as an Executive Board Member-at-Large  since September 2006 and will continue to serve in this capacity for the remainder of his two-year term. Dr. Horbelt also serves as Dental Director at the Arlington Developmental Center and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, TN.