Influences of differences in tray design and impression material on impression pressure at edentulous mandible

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of tray design and impression material on impression pressure in a clinical simulation model of an edentulous mandible. Two types of polyvinylsiloxane elastomer, one type of polyether elastomer, and one type of alginate were used. The three tray types had no relief, 0.36 mm of relief, or 1.4 mm of relief, with or without escape holes. Impression pressure was measured at the median alveolar crest, the bilateral alveolar crests corresponding to molars, and the bilateral buccal shelves. Impression pressure significantly differed in relation to tray design and sensor position. In trays without escape holes, impression pressure was highest at the median alveolar crest and lowest at the buccal shelves, for all impression materials. However, impression material had no significant effects on impression pressure. Our results suggest that bite-pressure load on alveolar crests can be alleviated by making an impression with a tray that has relief and escape holes, while applying pressure to buccal shelves and almost no pressure to alveolar crests.