Dental Impressions

Dental Assisting

This module provides knowledge on how to prepare for and take dental impressions.

Dental impressions are taken to replicate the form of teeth and other oral structures of the mouth. It is important for the dental assistant to be proficient in taking dental impressions, as they will be executing this task often in the dental office. This module provides knowledge on how to prepare for and take alginate and digital impressions. You will learn how to take maxillary and mandibular alginate impressions, as well as the proper techniques for taking digital impressions. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers clinical scenarios that test your ability to take a dental impression. Practice the steps of the procedures online as often as you want, until you feel confident.

You'll learn

the steps for how mix alginate
the steps for how to take a mandibular and maxillary impression
the different types of impression trays
the techniques for evaluating impressions
how to apply proper techniques for digital impressions
much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Dental assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Procedure

Step 2.1 - Explain procedure to patient

Step 2.2 - Selection of trays

Step 2.3 - Mixing alginate

Step 2.4 - Taking mandibular impression

Step 2.4.1 - Loading mandibular tray

Step 2.4.2 - Seating mandibular tray

Step 2.4.3 - Removal of mandibular tray

Step 2.5 - Taking maxillary impression

Step 2.5.1 - Loading maxillary tray

Step 2.5.2 - Removal of maxillary tray

Step 2.6 - Evaluating impressions

Step 2.7 - Disinfecting impressions

Step 2.8 - Digital impressions

Step 3 - Complete the procedure

Step 3.1 - Dismiss the patient

Step 3.2 - Discard materials

Step 3.3 - Disinfect equipment and treatment area

Step 3.4 - Complete the documentation

Describe pre-procedure considerations for dental impressions with alginate.
Distinguish among types of impression trays and their different uses.
Apply the standards for the preparation of materials for alginate dental impressions and digital impressions.
Demonstrate proper mixing technique of dental alginate.
Differentiate between a proper consistency mix of alginate and an improper mix.
Practice the proper technique in taking of both maxillary and mandibular alginate impressions in a simulated setting.
Apply proper techniques for digital impressions.
Differentiate between a good and a poor dental impression.
Describe clinical safety precautions concerning dental impressions according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Describe the purpose of the state Dental Practice Act and its relevance for dental assistants.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA), Patient Safety Act, and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long