Lee Ann Brady, DMD's Dental Blog

  • Home
  • About Dr. Lee Ann Brady
  • Dental Practice
  • Categories
    • Dental Materials
    • Esthetic Dentistry
    • Occlusion/TMD
    • Practice of Dentistry
    • Preventive Dentistry
    • Restorative Dentistry
    • Restorative Techniques
    • Treatment Planning
    • Videos
    • A-Z Topic List
  • Speaker’s Packet Request
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Restorative Dentistry / Diagnostic Impressions: The Putty Wash Technique

Diagnostic Impressions: The Putty Wash Technique

By Lee Ann Brady on 02.14.12Category: Restorative Dentistry

[/caption]

Last week I experimented with a new impression technique for diagnostic models. I’ll admit that I was reticent to try it at first, as I feel pretty comfortable with my old technique. I am a believer in taking diagnostic impressions with VPS material. This grants us the ability to pour extra models as needed for a number of months after we take the impressions, streamlining making occlusal appliances or performing a diagnostic equilibration.

The new technique pairs a silicone impression putty with a light body wash material. We started by picking plastic impression trays that fit over the patients full arch with a few millimeters of space on either side. My assistant used two scoops each of the Heraeus Flexitime Easy Putty. Mixing thoroughly to until an even color had been obtained without streaks of the original grey and purple. The putty was then loaded into the tray, smoothed and the excess removed to meet the labial flange and the palate of the plastic tray. I then seated the putty against the patient’s teeth fully. Once in place I wiggled the tray back and forth right and left and up and down. Without waiting for the putty to set I removed the tray  from the mouth.

The Flexitime Xtreme Correct Flow injectable material was set up and ready, with about 2mm of the tip cut back to increase the flow diameter. I injected a generous amount of the material into the area of the putty impression that represented the teeth, up beyond the cervical margins. I then reseated the impression in the patient’s mouth, started my timer and allowed the material to come to a full set.

The impression technique was incredible. I got a very accurate impression of all the teeth in full detail due to the lower viscosity of the Correct Flow and pressure from the partially set putty in the tray. It was easier to manage then loading the tray with heavy body and trying to inject the light body over all of the teeth while keeping the tongue and cheeks from wiping it away. The stiffness of the putty keeps it in the tray, so no material extrudes down the patient’s throat making it more comfortable. I will definitely be using this technique for all of my diagnostic impressions moving forward.

Related

Share

Comments

  1. Ken says

    February 14, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    Sounds like a very good technique,I’ve been taking two alginate impressions,which patient do always like and/or understand.I’ll try this one now.
    Question about pouring a model later after the initial pour? If I want to remount the models, How long is the wax bite good for,I will be keeping /floating in water(Pankey wax bite technique). Does the wax bite distort when used for the first mounting?

    Reply
    • Lee Ann Brady says

      February 14, 2012 at 8:44 PM

      I save my wax bites for a time period, but only until I have two sets mounted.. We buy the disposable ziploc containers in the grocery store. As long as they as floating they stay stable. I do not find they get distorted during mounting. When you place the lower model int he wax record, if it does not sit down firmly in all four delar wax dots, then you can assume it somehow distorted. If you need to you can take a bite on a set of mounted models to remount additional models in the future.

      Reply
  2. Darren Simpson says

    February 14, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Try this on your next C&B prep. I use this technique 99% of the time and it works great. You have to work quickly to mix putty and express LB material.

    Reply
  3. hershal says

    April 21, 2017 at 3:16 PM

    Hey,
    I’m loving the website, this page is now 5 years old, I’d be really interested to know:
    is this still your preferred method for diagnostic impressions?

    Reply
  4. Lee Ann Brady says

    April 22, 2017 at 9:12 AM

    This is still my preferred way to get diagnostic models. I use the same technique and the same material. My assistants have been trained to get the impressions and do a fantastic job with these.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel

Search

Recent Posts

  • Retraction Paste Technique Sensitivity
  • The Next Generation of Glass Ionomer Cements
  • A Fantastic New Temporary Cement
  • Tissue Blanching When Seating An Implant Restoration
  • Is It Time To Get An Intra-oral Impression Scanner?
  • Does Your Team Order The Dental Materials You Want?

Recent Comments

  • Shavon on Allergic Reaction To A Dental Cleaning?
  • Joe on Stick Bite: Why and How
  • Joan Johnson on Post & Core’s Coming Loose?
  • Rosemary on Ugh, The Margins Are Open!
  • Sakshi on Removing An e.max Restoration
  • Jeremy Montrose on Ugh, The Margins Are Open!

Policies

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Cancellations and Refunds

Security Seal

© 2020 Lee Ann Brady LLC, All Rights Reserved Site by CSL