Autoclavable custom-made metal impression trays to improve infection control

Abstract

P e d i a t r i c impressions, particularly impressions on infants with cleft palates, are always a challenge. Part of the problem is that most commercially available, disposable impression trays are bulky. Tray thickness becomes even more of a problem if impressions must be made with the patient under general anesthesia and when an oral-tracheal tube is in place. A solution to this problem is to make various sizes of infant impression trays from a nonpreeious removable partial denture alloy (Ticonium, Tieonium Co., Albany, N.Y.). The trays can be made thin yet sufficiently strong to permit use in situations where bulky trays cannot be used, and they can be sterilized in an autoclave.