ELIMINATE REMAKES
What steps can I take to eliminate remakes and reduce chairtime?
Our most successful clients consistently:
Use the two-cord technique. The margin and the root beyond the finish line are clearly visible in the impression. This allows the final restoration to have a good marginal fit and the correct emergence profile. Chemical retraction does not compare.
Follow the preparation guidelines & provide adequate reduction. Depth cut burs and flexible clearance tabs are used. It's extremely rare that these dentists have to reduce the opposing.
Place anatomical comprecaps on the abutments and allow these to remain in place long enough to dry out the preparation.
Use a full-arch impression tray when restoring multiple posterior teeth.
Hold the impression tray rather than having the patient do this, since consistent pressure by a skilled hand is necessary.
Follow the impression material manufacturer's guidelines and troubleshoot impression problems. If the first impression isn't adequate, they re-impress. They never re-line or take a double impression. And of course, they never use out of date impression material.
Allow the impression to set an extra minute more than required so the material will be strong enough to resist marginal tears.
Provide neatly written instructions with clear directions for unique cases.
Fabricate well-fitting temporaries. This maintains the bite and adjacent teeth.
Provide an accurate shade. Tips
Send pre-op impressions/models to the lab when these will be helpful.
Doctors using these techniques have been able to eliminate remakes and reduce chair-time. Their patients are happy with the predictable results and are eager to recommend them to their friends.
©2013 Nichols Laboratory Inc.
