Plastic tray dental

Types of plastic tray dental

There are several types of plastic dental trays, each designed for specific applications. For example, there are plastic dental trays used for teeth impressions and plastic dental trays used for whitening treatments and other procedures.

These include the following types:

• Dental Impression Trays

  Dental impression trays are typically rigid structures that hold the impression material in place when taking a shape of a patient’s teeth and gums. They come in various sizes and forms, including anterior (front teeth), posterior (back teeth), and full mouth trays.

• Plastic Dental Trays

  Plastic dental trays are lightweight alternatives to traditional metal trays. They are often used for single-use applications to prevent the risk of cross-infection. These trays are suitable for procedures like fluoride applications, whitening treatments, and temporary impression capture.

• Spoon Trays

  Spoon trays have a shallow, spoon-like shape that is ideal for taking partial impressions or specific areas of the mouth. Their design allows for easy access to narrow spaces between teeth, making them useful for orthodontic impressions.

• Divided Trays

  Divided trays are separated by partitions, allowing the dentist to use one tray for multiple impression materials. This type of tray is helpful when different materials are needed for various parts of an impression.

• Full Arch Trays

  Full arch trays are meant to capture impressions of the entire dental arch. They are used for full dentures, crowns, bridges, and complete dental prosthetics.

Materials for making plastic tray dental

• Polypropylene

  Polypropylene is the most common material used for making plastic dental trays since it is very strong and resistant to many forms of chemical damage. It is also very affordable, so it is commonly used to make disposable trays. In addition to being cheap, it is lightweight and can be easily molded into various shapes to fit dental impressions.

• Polystyrene

  Polystyrene is another common thermoplastic used for its rigidity and clear appearance. Rigid plastic dental trays are often made from high-impact polystyrene. This material provides a sturdy base that ensures the impression material is evenly supported during use.

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

  ABS plastic is commonly used to manufacture dental trays because it offers a good balance between strength, durability, and resistance to solvents. This thermoplastic is known for its toughness and ability to withstand repeated sterilization without deforming.

• Polycarbonate

  Polycarbonate is a very durable material that is also transparent. Its strength makes it ideal for use in procedures where a stronger tray may be needed. In addition, it can be formed into very complex shapes while still maintaining its toughness.

• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

  LDPE is very flexible and easy to mold, which makes it perfect for creating trays that can be used in orthodontics. Their slight give allows these trays to fit more comfortably in the patient’s mouth.

How to choose plastic tray dental

• Function

  The type of function that the plastic dental tray will be expected to perform should guide the choice. For example, metal trays are better for use during impression taking because they are more rigid. On the other hand, for applications like fluoride treatments or whitening gels, a more flexible tray will be comfortable for the patient.

• Mouth Size

  Dental trays come in different sizes. It is important to choose the correct size to ensure the tray completely covers the target area without encroaching on other areas of the patient’s mouth. For example, choosing the right size for impression trays is crucial to ensure accurate impressions.

• Comfort

  The comfort of plastic trays greatly influences their suitability for use in dental practice. A comfortable tray will allow the patient to sit for longer periods during dental procedures. This is particularly important for patients receiving more intensive dental work or dental prosthetics.

• Compatibility

  It is important to ensure that the tray is compatible with whatever dental materials will be used. This includes impression materials, whitening gels, and other products. Some trays may be more effective for certain materials, for instance, promoting better adhesion or more evenly distributing the product.

• Cost

  The cost of different types of dental trays can vary greatly, especially if one is considering metal trays. Also, while disposable trays are typically meant to be used once and thrown away, they can be a very affordable option for low-risk procedures. Cost is a more important consideration when one factors in whether the trays will be reused or not.

How to use plastic tray dental

• Whitening Gel Application

  Plastic dental trays are frequently used in combination with dental whitening gels to provide patients with an effective and convenient method of whitening their teeth. After the dentist determines the appropriate whitening solution, they will dispense small amounts of the gel into the tray's compartments. Care must be taken to avoid overfilling the tray and having gel come into contact with the gums, as this may cause irritation.

• Fluoride Treatment

  Plastic dental trays are also used to administer fluoride treatments to patients, especially after tooth exposure or during routine dental visits. The trays are prefilled with a fluoride foam or gel that is designed to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Once the trays have been prepared, they are placed over the patient’s teeth for about 1-4 minutes, during which time the fluoride is absorbed into the enamel.

• Temporary Dental Repairs

  In situations where permanent restorations are yet to be completed, such as in crown or bridge work, plastic dental trays may be used to hold temporary cement or materials in place. Once the temporary restoration is in position, any excess material or cement that oozes out will be wiped away to leave the area clean.

• Taking Dental Impressions

  In the past, dental impressions had to be taken directly from a patient’s mouth using putty, but now most measurement was done with the help of plastic dental trays. After selecting a tray that comfortably fitted the patient’s mouth, the dentist would spread an impression material uniformly over the surface of the tray. Then, they placed the tray over the patient’s dental arch and gave them time to bite down gently while the material set. Once it was set, the tray was carefully removed to provide a mold of the patient’s teeth and gums. The resulting impressions were used to make dentures, crowns, and other dental appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about plastic tray dental

Q1. What are plastic dental trays used for?

A1. Plastic dental trays are used for holding impression materials in the patient’s mouth as they take a dental impression. They are also used in applying treatments like fluoride and whitening.

Q2. How are plastic dental trays cleaned?

A2. Plastic dental trays that are meant to be reused are normally cleaned by sterilizing them using an autoclave or disinfecting solution. Those that are disposable are just thrown away after a single use.

Q3. What is the benefit of using plastic over metal dental trays?

A3. Plastic dental trays are much lighter and cheaper than metal ones. They can also be disposed of easily after one use, which helps stop contamination.

Q4. How to get the right size of a plastic dental tray?

A4. Plastic dental trays come in different sizes, but most are moldable. One should choose a tray that is comfortable for the patient in terms of size and ease of use.

Q5. Are plastic dental trays compatible with all dental materials?

A5. Most plastic dental trays work well with common dental materials like impression compounds, fluoride gels, and whitening solutions. Nevertheless, there are special trays for specific materials.