Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Not All Dental Impressions Are the Same!” [4. Comprehensive Guide to Impression Materials and Trays]

Hello.

We are Magok Station Seoul Dia Dental Clinic, providing trustworthy treatment and warm explanations.

Today is finally the day of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)!

To all the students who have worked hard day and night,

you have truly worked so hard to get here.

For today, please let your mind ease a little,

and we sincerely hope that the effort you have built up until now will be fully expressed.

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic also sends warm words of support

to all examinees and parents.

Now, shall we get back to dental stories?

In the previous post, we looked at what to be careful about during impression taking.

If you missed it, please check it through the link below.

Today, we’ll organize impression materials and trays,

which are used to create a dental mold,

in an easy-to-understand way in the Seoul Dia Dental Clinic style!

Characteristics of Each Type of Tray

A tray is, simply put, a mold that holds the dental impression.

Just as a fish-shaped pastry mold determines the shape,

the tray affects the precision of the impression.

1. Stock Tray (Stock Tray)

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Standard Tray

This is the standard type commonly used

and is made of metal or plastic.

There are various sizes depending on the upper and lower jaw,

and above all, it is fast and efficient,

so it is widely used in most treatments.

However, for people with small mouths or unique jaw structures,

the tray may feel a little uncomfortable.

That is why Magok-dong Seoul Dia Dental Clinic

carefully checks the patient’s mouth size, jawline, and gum line,

then selects and uses the best-fitting tray.

2. Custom Tray

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Custom Tray

If the oral structure is unique, or if multiple prosthetics are needed,

a personal tray is fabricated.

A custom tray is made after first analyzing the patient’s oral structure data,

and then producing a new tray tailored to it.

So there is almost no error in the mold,

and it fits tightly to the teeth and gums, making the precision very high.

Of course, it takes a little more preparation time than a regular tray,

but it produces a more refined result accordingly.

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic does not use the same method for every patient;

instead, it applies a custom tray only when needed,

offering “the precision that is truly necessary.”

3. Partial Tray

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Section Tray

A partial tray is literally a tray for partial use.

It is used when only one or two teeth need to be impressed,

such as for a crown or inlay.

It is faster and more convenient than taking a full impression,

and because it does not make the mouth feel overly full,

it is less burdensome for the patient.

Since it captures only a small area with precision,

high accuracy can be achieved in a short amount of time.

However, one downside is that it is difficult to check the overall occlusion

(the way the upper and lower teeth fit together) at a glance.

That is why at Magok-dong Seoul Dia Dental Clinic,

we take the necessary area precisely with a section tray,

and adjust the overall balance together through separate diagnosis.

Characteristics of Each Type of Impression Material

If the tray is the mold, the impression material is the batter placed inside it.

In other words, it is the key material that determines the texture, precision, and reproducibility of the impression.

1. Alginate (Alginate)

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Alginate

This is the most basic impression material,

and it looks like a soft jelly.

When placed in the mouth, it spreads smoothly

and then hardens within a short time.

Because it is fast and easy to use, it is often used for diagnostic models or temporary molds.

It is also relatively affordable, and because it does not feel very foreign in the mouth,

it is one of the most commonly used materials for a “first impression.”

However, it also has drawbacks.

It is sensitive to moisture and time, so immediately after taking the impression,

gypsum must be poured in order to obtain an accurate mold.

2. Silicone (Silicone)

Silicone is the material most often used

when making prosthetics or implants.

With excellent elasticity and recovery,

it can reproduce tooth shapes very precisely.

At Seoul Dia Dental Clinic, this silicone impression material

is divided into two versions and used accordingly.

① Light Body (Light Body)

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Light Body

As the name suggests, it is light and soft,

and its role is to delicately fill in

the spaces between teeth, the gum margins, and curved areas.

It can be called the “precision specialist” that brings out fine details.

② Heavy Body (Heavy Body)

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Heavy Body

This is a slightly heavier and firmer material,

which sits stably inside the tray

and supports the light body so it does not flow down.

It plays the role of a reliable support that firmly holds the overall structure.

The dual impression method (Double Impression) that uses these two materials together

allows the light body to fill in fine spaces,

while the heavy body shapes the overall form,

completing a three-dimensional replica.

3. Polyether (Polyether)

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Polyether

Polyether is a more specialized impression material.

It has higher viscosity and more stickiness than silicone,

allowing it to capture the gum line and deep areas with great precision.

In particular, because it undergoes almost no deformation

and can preserve the fine structure of the teeth for a long time,

it is optimal for treatments that require precision, such as implants and bridges.

However, because of its high viscosity, people with a narrow mouth

or sensitive oral conditions may feel a slight sense of tightness.

Therefore, Seoul Dia Dental Clinic carefully determines

whether to use polyether based on the patient’s condition.

The characteristics of each type of tray and impression material,

summarized at a glance!

1. Trays are divided into standard, custom, and partial types

2. Impression materials are divided into alginate, silicone, and polyether

3. Silicone impression material is the perfect combination of “light body + heavy body”

4. Seoul Dia Dental Clinic selects customized materials and trays for each case

Magok-dong_Dia Dental Clinic

Small differences change the result.

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic honestly and carefully fills in even the invisible 1 mm details.

“If the impression is done well, the treatment is half a success!”

Seoul Dia Dental Clinic at Magok Station will be with you for that honest beginning.

[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgeries and procedures. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so you should make your decision about surgery (procedure) after sufficient consultation with a skilled medical professional. ]

[Magok-dong Seoul Dia Dental Clinic Impression Taking Series]

1. Definition and importance of impression taking

2. When impression taking is needed

3. Impression taking process

4. Precautions during impression taking

5. Impression materials and trays

6. Digital impression taking