Dental Impression

Overview

If your dentist needs to adjust your teeth, create a dental implant or fit you for dentures, you may need to have a dental impression made. That's a mold of your teeth and gums. Your dentist may take an impression of just a few of your teeth, or all of them.

How it's done

To begin, the dentist chooses a tray that fits your teeth. The tray looks kind of like a bite guard. It fits around your teeth. Then, a special putty is prepared. It's put into the tray, and the tray is pressed over your teeth. You'll wait a short time while the putty hardens. Then, the tray is removed.

Next steps

The putty captures an impression of your teeth. This impression can be filled with a material that hardens to create an exact copy of your teeth.

Conclusion

A dental impression is quick and painless. It's a valuable part of your dental care. Ask your dentist for more information.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.