What Is an Impression Coping

Introduction

Teeth need to fit just right. When a tooth is missing, the dentist puts in a new one. To make the new tooth fit, they use a tool. This tool is called an impression coping.

An impression coping helps the dentist make a perfect copy of your mouth. This helps them make a new tooth that fits just right.

What Is an Impression Coping?

An impression coping is a small metal part. It helps make a mold of where your implant is.

An implant is a metal post that goes in your jaw bone. It holds your new tooth.

The impression coping connects to the implant. Then the dentist puts gooey stuff around it. This gooey stuff gets hard. It makes a mold of your mouth.

Parts of an impression coping:

• A screw to hold it tight
• A shape that matches your implant

If the new tooth does not fit right, it can hurt your bone. It can cost a lot of money to fix.

Types of Impression Copings

There are three main types of impression copings:

1. Transfer Copings

These are also called closed-tray copings.

• The dentist takes them out before the mold gets hard
• Good for one implant
• Easy to use
• Cost less money
• Not as good for many implants

2. Pick-Up Copings

These are also called open-tray copings.

• Stay in the mold when it gets hard
• Good for many implants
• Work well when implants are at an angle
• Need more skill to use

3. Digital Scan Bodies

These work with computers.

• Used with a scanning tool
• Make the job go faster
• No need for gooey stuff

A dental RVG sensor can help take pictures of your mouth when the dentist works with impression copings.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here is how the dentist uses an impression coping:

1. Pick the right type

   • For one implant: Use transfer coping
   • For many implants: Use pick-up coping

2. Put it on tight

   • Screw it onto the implant
   • Make it very tight so it does not move

3. Make the mold

   • Traditional way: Put gooey stuff in a tray
   • Computer way: Use a scanner

4. Tell the lab

   • The dentist must tell the lab what kind of implant you have

Things That Can Go Wrong

Dentists can make mistakes with impression copings. Here are some problems and how to fix them:

Impression Coping vs. Healing Abutment

People get confused about impression copings and healing abutments. They are not the same.

• A healing abutment shapes your gums while your bone grows around the implant.
• An impression coping helps make a mold after your bone has grown.

If you need a dental implant motor, your dentist will use it to put in the implant before using an impression coping.

Questions People Ask

Can one coping work for all implant brands?

No. Each brand has its own shape. A Straumann coping will not fit a Nobel implant.

How much does an impression coping cost?

They cost between $30 and $150 each. The price depends on the brand and what it is made of.

Is digital better than traditional impressions?

It depends. Digital makes fewer mistakes but needs expensive equipment. Intraoral cameras help with digital impressions.

Important Facts From Studies

Experts have done research on impression copings. Here is what they found:

• Open-tray copings have 15% fewer problems than closed-tray copings when working with many implants 
• Digital scan bodies are right 92.5% of the time, while traditional molds are right 85% of the time 
• When you connect impression copings together, they work 23% better 
• If the screw is not tight enough, it can come loose 30% more often 
• Custom trays work 40% better than regular trays 
• 85% of labs have problems when the wrong brand of coping is used 

Why Impression Copings Matter

Impression copings are very important for making new teeth that fit on implants. They help the dentist make a perfect copy of your mouth.

If the impression coping is not used right:

• Your new tooth might not fit
• Your bone might get hurt
• You might need to pay more money to fix it

Different Terms You Might Hear

When talking about impression copings, you might hear these words:

• Osseointegration: This means your bone grows around the implant
• CAD/CAM: This means using computers to make the new tooth
• Screw-retained: This means the new tooth is held on with a screw
• Cement-retained: This means the new tooth is held on with glue

Conclusion

Impression copings help make sure your new teeth fit just right on your implants. They help make a perfect copy of your mouth.

Talk to your dentist about which kind of impression coping is best for you. This will help make sure your new teeth look good and work well.