Impression Techniques

Heavy Body/Light Body Technique

• A rigid tray providing stability and minimizing distortion
• Margins which are free of voids and tears
• A good bond between tray material and wash (i.e. no separation)
• No visible evidence of tray “burn through”
• A smooth transition between tray and wash material
• Tray adhesive on the floor and walls of tray

Simultaneous Putty/Wash Technique

• A rigid tray providing stability and minimizing distortion
• Placement of a dimple in the putty, filled with wash, before tray seating
• Wash material capturing margins which is free of voids and tears
• A good bond between putty and wash (i.e. no separation)
• No visible evidence of tray “burn through”
• Tray adhesive on the floor and walls of tray
• Putty which is thoroughly mixed; no streaking
• Crisp occlusal detail evident in putty

Two-Step Putty/Wash Technique

• A rigid tray providing stability and minimizing distortion
• Wash material capturing margins which is free of voids and tears
• A good bond between putty and wash (i.e. no separation)
• All impression detail should be captured in wash material.
• The initial putty impression is completely relieved (no putty visible in spaces).
• The tray is properly seated for the second impression, avoiding putty “burn through.”
• Tray adhesive on the floor and walls of tray