If you’re like me and also you wish to guarantee accuracy, simplicity and effectivity in your impression procedures, then three issues play a decisive function in making an correct implant impression: realizing which approach to make use of and when; why you selected that approach; and deciding on the suitable materials.
‘Open Tray’ vs. ‘Closed Tray’
There are primarily two impression strategies – open and closed, primarily based on the kind of impression copings: open tray (direct pick-up) or closed tray (oblique switch). A much less frequent strategy is the “snap-on” approach (closed tray, direct switch), which is a hybrid of the opposite two and isn’t mentioned right here.

Closed Tray Oblique Switch
On this approach, the impression coping stays on the implant throughout impression making and elimination of the set impression from the mouth (much like standard crown and bridge procedures). The coping is faraway from the implant after which hooked up to the implant analogue. The coping/analogue meeting is then seated (transferred) again into its corresponding listed place contained in the impression.

Closed Tray Oblique Switch1
Open Tray Direct Choose-up
On this approach, the impression coping is ‘picked-up’ and stays within the set impression upon elimination from the mouth. As soon as the impression has set, the screw holding the coping on the implant is accessed by a gap within the tray and unscrewed to permit elimination of the impression from the mouth. As soon as outdoors of the mouth, the implant analogue is related to the coping.

Open Tray Direct Choose-up1
These strategies are interchangeable and utilized relying on the scientific state of affairs. Nonetheless, the open tray approach normally comes with added anxiousness, time and price since it’s a must to guarantee you’ll find and entry the coping screw with the intention to take away the impression. You probably have ever locked an impression, you recognize precisely what I imply… It occurred to me as soon as, and I’ll by no means make that mistake once more!
Which approach shall I exploit?
Single unit restorations
The literature factors to the open tray approach being extra correct.1,2 For my part, there’s little distinction between closed and open tray impressions relating to single-unit restorations so long as you utilize the suitable materials.
What do I exploit? I routinely use the closed tray merely due to its ease of use. This turns into a predictable approach, particularly when utilized in mixture with a brilliant inflexible, easy to make use of materials comparable to polyether from the 3M™ Impregum™ Impression Materials household. Utilizing such a fabric offers me confidence: its excessive rigidity secures the implant coping place and utilizing a single materials consistency in a monophase approach retains the process easy.
A monophase polyether could be very versatile in its use. These pictures present the identical materials getting used as a tray materials and for syringing abutments. The fabric within the syringe reveals what we name shear thinning, making it behave like a light-weight physique wash. On this state, you may concentrate on the easy activity of syringing across the coping solely – that’s it!

A number of implants1
Having taken tons of of impressions with a 100% profitable match, the closed tray approach with 3M™ Impregum™ Penta™ Impression Materials utilized in a monophase approach is a really dependable mixture. In my expertise, this method helps to standardize the process, to simplify and allow you to cut back the variability of the result, errors and price.
A number of implants
You probably have a number of implants that shall be splinted, an open tray approach shall be extra correct and ought to be used. A basic polyether with an extended working time will permit you extra freedom in making certain the right seating place of the tray. Impregum Penta Impression Materials has a singular snap-set conduct which means that the fabric continues flowing throughout all the working time. This makes the fabric forgiving – the additional flowability lets you fastidiously maneuver the tray with the intention to discover the outlet with out compromising impression accuracy.
Word on Method
Bear in mind, if the implants are misaligned, it’s advisable to make use of an open tray impression coping. Utilizing a closed tray approach for misaligned copings would threat locking the impression within the mouth due to their lack of draw. Typically, if unsure about which to make use of for accuracy, then use an open tray impression coping – you gained’t go flawed – it’s the gold customary.
No matter approach, all the time test for correct positioning of the impression coping earlier than hand-tightening and continuing with the subsequent step. The desk beneath helps to summarize the benefits, disadvantages and scientific use for every approach, plus my materials suggestions:
Suggestions:

Word on Materials Choice
What I anticipate from an impression materials is well summed up: it ought to be common (i.e. fitted to the ‘open’ tray and ‘closed’ tray impression approach alike), and it ought to allow me to seize the entire three-dimensional place of the restorative implant platform, together with the tooth and gentle tissues. With these standards met, you’re solely left to pick out the suitable working time.
Conclusion
Deciding on the suitable approach for the suitable scientific state of affairs will allow you to to realize the detailed impression on the primary take. Bear in mind to have a look at the scientific presentation and have your finish objective in thoughts – it will will let you systematically work by your chosen approach from begin to end. Why not simplify and select a monophasic materials that does all of it: that securely captures impression posts, streamlines the process, offers final accuracy and lets you overcome any challenges.