Assessment of Impressions Made for Fixed Partial Denture Prosthesis in Jordan

This study was carried out to assess the quality of impressions sent to dental laboratories in Jordan. A sample of 136 impressions and stone casts were examined for technical errors in 35 laboratories that construct fixed partial dentures. They were sorted into these categories: unusable, unsatisfactory, acceptable or satisfactory The type of impression material and tray, opposing arch impressions, and occlusal records were noted. Instructions to technicians were assessed for completeness and clarity. Half of the specimens inspected were categorized as unusable or unsatisfactory. These were found in commercial dental laboratories. They showed at least one clinical error such as drags or indefinite finishing lines in impressions and inadequate reduction, undercuts, or obvious taper on stone casts. Alginate impression material was used of 65% up the cases. Only 27% of specimens were accompanied with instructions. Of these 22% were graded poor. No occlusal records were available with 54% of specimens and no articulators were used except in dental school laboratories. The quality of impressions were unsatisfactory or unusable in 50% of cases. Of the 37 available instructions 8 were not clear.