Take 1 Advanced Troubleshooting Guide
Here you'll find some common dental impression-taking problems. We'll explain what may be causing the problem along with troubleshooting tips.
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| Problem: Premature set  |
Evidence • Abrupt change from heavy to light-body material • Muted detail around margin |
Cause • Set time of wash/tray material not synched • Exceeded working time of material |
Solution • Begin mix of heavy and light viscosity concurrently • Verify set times for heavy and light viscosities match • Observe working time of materials |
Problem: Deformation/dimensional change |
Evidence • Crowns too tall/short • Open contacts • Crown will not seat |
Cause • Insufficient mix of material • Impression removed too early • Tray movement after seating • Insufficient material elasticity • Fluid absorption during disinfection process |
Solution • Verify material is adequately mixed before seating and completely set prior to removal • Use passive force to maintain tray position when using open-bite technique • Verify no tooth contact with tray sides or impingement in closed-bite technique • Choose material with adequate elasticity • Follow disinfection protocol carefully |
| Problem: Tearing at margin  |
Evidence • Visible tears at margin • Lack of flash extending apically around entire preparation |
Cause • Material has insufficient tear strength • Presence of severe undercuts • Insufficient sulcular expansion |
Solution • Use material with adequate tear strength • Consider blocking out undercuts, especially in cases with gingival recession • Ensure at least .5 mm sulcular expansion |
| Problem: Surface inhibition or “non-set”  |
Evidence • Unset or mottled surface around preparation • Lack of detail • Shiny/wet appearance |
Cause • Contamination due to latex gloves; direct contact with material or residue left on teeth • Contamination due to temporary materials or composite • Expired material or exceeded material shelf life |
Solution • Use latex-free gloves when handling VPS material • Rinse preparation area thoroughly after using other restorative materials • Use automated mixing device to minimize exposure to contaminants • Do not use expired material |
| Problem: Poor model detail  |
Evidence • Small bubbles/indentations in cast • Powdery cusps |
Cause • Release of hydrogen gas from VPS impression after pouring cast • Tooth contact with mesh lining of closed-bite impression tray |
Solution • Follow manufacturer instructions regarding any delays for pouring models after taking impression • Place cotton roll on contra-lateral side when using closed-bite trays to prevent direct tooth contact with tray; this prevents water from leaching through tray after cast has been poured |
| Problem: Voids in wash material  |
Evidence • Visible voids in wash material around tooth preparation |
Cause • Bubbles incorporated into material during mixing or loading syringe • Bubbles incorporated while syringing material intraorally |
Solution • Use automix systems • Syringe material intraorally in continuous stream around each preparation; do not lift syringe tip from material |
| Problem: Insufficient or excessive compression  |
Evidence • Insufficient: wash material flows away from preparation area • Excessive: wash material displaced from preparation area; “burn through” |
Cause • Insufficient compression of wash material from adjacent tooth/tray or heavy-body material • Excessive compression of wash material due to high viscosity of tray material |
Solution • Use tray viscosity material with greater compressive force, or use custom tray • Use tray material with lower viscosity to avoid displacing wash material |
| Problem: Incomplete margin  |
Evidence • Voids or “jumps” on margin |
Cause • Inadequate tissue management • Contamination from intraoral fluids • Insufficient compression of wash material |
Solution • Use Expasyl™ retraction paste to open sulcus and help maintain dry field • Use hydrophilic wash material • Select tray viscosity with adequate compression |
| Problem: Voids in tray material  |
Evidence • Visible voids in set impression • Tearing of impression • Poor fit at seating |
Cause • Introducing bubbles when filling tray; layering material • Introducing bubbles when mixing material by hand |
Solution • Keep tip buried in material during filling • Fill in continuous path; do not layer material • Use automated mixing machine for tray viscosity |
| Problem: Tooth contact with tray  |
Evidence • Visible impingement |
Cause • Incorrect size tray • Tray seating not aligned with dentition |
Solution • Verify tray has enough room for 2 mm of impression material between tooth and tray walls |
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