Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Polymer Treatment of Complete Dentures to Inhibit Denture Plaque Deposition
Published on: December 26, 2016
Surveys of Current Teaching and Practice for Impressions for Complete Dentures
Objectives:
The 3 objectives are to assess current preferences for impressions for complete dentures, audit practice and compare practice to current UK teaching.
Methods:
Three surveys where undertaken; a survey of GDPs preferences, an audit of practice and a survey of teaching in UK dental schools.
Results:
UK Universities advocate border moulded custom trays. In stated preferences, 99% of practitioners used custom trays for private practice; 67% for NHS work. In actual use, the audit found 91% practitioners in private practice used custom trays; in NHS practice 78% did so. The most widely taught materials were silicone (43%), alginate (29%), & zinc oxide eugenol paste (19%). In practitioners stated preferences, 97% of NHS and 53% of private dentists listed alginate as an option; however the audit showed only 74% (NHS) and 52% (private) actually used alginate, with 20% (NHS) and 48% (private) using silicone.
Conclusions:
Definitive impressions in custom trays are used by GDPs for both private and NHS work; they are universally taught at UK dental schools. Alginate is popular in NHS practice; however, silicone is more widely taught in UK Universities. The use of silicone materials for definitive impressions has increased since 1999. In UK private practice silicone usage is aligned in popularity with alginate.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Surveys
First Impression
Introduction to Surveying, Plane Surveying and Geodetic Surveys
Managing Impressions
Errors and Mistakes in Surveying
Types of Surveys

