Implant impression: definition, techniques & best practices

implant impression
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Expert advice article
Ths. BS CK2 Dương Minh Tùng

Specialty: Dental Implants and Maxillofacial Surgery

Master, Doctor Duong Minh Tung - a prestigious expert in the field of dental implants in Platinum Dental, with over 16 years of experience and advanced professional certifications.

An Implant impression is a crucial step in the final phase of dental Implant treatment, directly affecting how well your new tooth fits, functions, and feels. Even when an Implant is placed perfectly in the jawbone, the success of the final crown or restoration depends heavily on the accuracy of the impression taken afterward.

At Platinum Dental Group, Implant impressions are performed with a strong focus on precision, patient comfort, and long-term results. By combining clinical expertise with advanced technology, this step ensures that each Implant restoration looks natural, supports proper bite alignment, and maintains lasting oral health.

What is an Implant impression?

An Implant impression is a precise dental record used to capture the exact position, angle, and depth of a dental Implant in the jawbone. This step is essential for creating a custom-made crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration that fits accurately on the Implant and functions like a natural tooth.

In modern Implant dentistry, an Implant impression ensures that the final restoration aligns perfectly with the surrounding teeth and bite. Without an accurate impression, even a well-placed Implant may result in discomfort, improper chewing function, or aesthetic concerns.

At Platinum Dental Group Vietnam, Implant impressions are taken using advanced techniques, including digital intraoral scanning or high-precision impression materials. These methods help minimize errors, improve comfort for patients, and ensure long-lasting, natural-looking Implant restorations.

A carefully taken Implant impression allows our dental laboratory to fabricate restorations that restore chewing efficiency, facial harmony, and long-term oral health. This step plays a critical role in delivering predictable, comfortable, and successful Implant treatment outcomes.

Why are Implant impressions essential in Implant dentistry?

An Implant impression plays a critical role in the success of Implant treatment, as it directly affects the accuracy, comfort, and longevity of the final restoration. A precise impression allows the dental team to design restorations that function naturally, fit securely, and protect surrounding oral structures.

Role in final restoration accuracy

A high-quality Implant impression captures the exact three-dimensional position of the Implant within the jawbone. This information is essential for fabricating a crown or bridge that fits precisely onto the Implant without gaps or tension.

Accurate impressions help prevent issues such as loose restorations, uneven pressure, or poor aesthetics. At Platinum Dental Group Vietnam, advanced impression techniques ensure each Implant restoration is customized for optimal fit and natural appearance.

Bite alignment and occlusal stability

Proper bite alignment is crucial for long-term comfort and function. An accurate Implant impression records how the Implant relates to opposing teeth, allowing the restoration to distribute chewing forces evenly.

When occlusion is well-balanced, patients experience smoother chewing, reduced jaw strain, and improved overall comfort. Precise Implant impressions help maintain occlusal stability and protect both the Implant and surrounding natural teeth.

Long-term Implant survival

Long-term Implant success depends on how well the restoration integrates with the Implant and the bite. Inaccurate Implant impressions can lead to excessive stress on the Implant, increasing the risk of mechanical complications or bone loss over time.

By capturing exact Implant positioning and bite dynamics, a reliable Implant impression supports long-term stability, healthy bone maintenance, and lasting treatment results. This attention to detail is a key factor in achieving predictable, durable Implant outcomes for patients.

Who needs an Implant impression & when?

An Implant impression is required for patients who are undergoing Implant restoration after the Implant has successfully integrated with the jawbone. This step ensures the final crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis fits precisely and functions comfortably.

Implant impressions are taken after successful integration to ensure restorations fit precisely and function comfortably, using the traditional impression technique.
Implant impressions are taken after successful integration to ensure restorations fit precisely and function comfortably, using the traditional impression technique.

Patients receiving single or multiple Implant restorations

Patients who receive a single Implant crown or multiple Implant-supported restorations will need an Implant impression once healing is complete. This allows the dental team to design restorations that match the surrounding teeth in shape, color, and alignment.

Accurate Implant impressions are especially important when multiple Implants are involved, as they ensure proper spacing, symmetry, and bite harmony.

Timing of the Implant impression

An Implant impression is typically taken after the osseointegration phase, when the Implant has securely fused with the jawbone. This usually occurs several weeks to a few months after Implant placement, depending on bone quality and individual healing response.

Taking the impression at the correct time helps prevent movement, ensures accurate positioning, and supports long-term Implant stability.

Patients undergoing complex or full-arch Implant treatment

Patients receiving full-arch restorations, such as Implant-supported bridges or All-on-X treatments, also require highly precise Implant impressions. In these cases, impressions capture the relationship between multiple Implants, the bite, and facial aesthetics.

At Platinum Dental Group Vietnam, careful evaluation and advanced impression techniques are used to determine the optimal timing for Implant impressions, ensuring predictable results and long-lasting Implant success.

Comparison: traditional vs digital Implant impressions

Implant impressions can be taken using traditional materials or advanced digital scanning technology. While both methods record Implant position, digital Implant impressions offer superior accuracy, comfort, and treatment efficiency, especially when integrated into a full digital workflow.

Why digital Implant impressions at Platinum Dental Group stand out

Traditional impressions use trays and impression materials and may be suitable for simple cases, but they can be affected by distortion and require longer processing time.

At Platinum Dental Group, digital Implant impressions are performed using a complete set of advanced technologies, including 3Shape and iTero intraoral scanners, combined with the PIC system (photogrammetry Implant capture). 

This stereophotogrammetry technology records the exact 3D position of multiple Implants with exceptional precision – particularly important for full-arch and complex Implant cases.

Advanced digital scanning records Implant positions with high accuracy, especially in complex cases.
Advanced digital scanning records Implant positions with high accuracy, especially in complex cases.

Greater comfort, faster results

Digital Implant impressions are tray-free, faster, and significantly more comfortable for patients, especially those with a sensitive gag reflex. The digital data is transferred instantly to the dental laboratory, reducing chair time and minimizing adjustments.

By integrating digital scanning from the initial diagnostic phase through final restoration, Platinum Dental Group can shorten treatment timelines and, in suitable cases, support early or immediate Implant restorations, helping patients regain function and aesthetics sooner.

Traditional and digital Implant impressions both capture Implant position, but digital scanning offers greater accuracy and patient comfort.
Traditional and digital Implant impressions both capture Implant position, but digital scanning offers greater accuracy and patient comfort.
PIC and intraoral scanning represent the most advanced digital implant impression techniques.
PIC and intraoral scanning represent the most advanced digital implant impression techniques.

Step-by-step Implant impression procedure

The Implant impression procedure is a carefully planned process designed to ensure accuracy, comfort, and long-term Implant success. At Platinum Dental Group Vietnam, each step is performed with precision and gentle techniques to deliver predictable, high-quality results for patients.

Clinical assessment and preparation

Before taking an Implant impression, the dentist performs a thorough clinical assessment of the Implant site. This includes checking Implant stability, soft tissue healing, and surrounding bite conditions.

Once the Implant is confirmed to be fully integrated, the area is cleaned and prepared to ensure clear visibility and accurate impression capture.

Coping / scan body placement

An impression coping (for traditional impressions) or scan body (for digital impressions) is securely attached to the Implant. This component transfers the exact position, angle, and depth of the Implant to the impression or digital scan.

Correct placement at this stage is essential, as it directly affects the accuracy of the final restoration.

Taking the impression

For traditional Implant impressions, impression material is applied using a tray to capture detailed Implant and gum contours. For digital Implant impressions, an intraoral scanner records a precise three-dimensional image of the Implant and surrounding structures.

Both methods are performed with patient comfort in mind, using gentle techniques to minimize discomfort and ensure reliable results.

Sending data to the laboratory

Once the Implant impression is completed, the data is sent to the dental laboratory. Traditional impressions are physically transferred, while digital scans are sent electronically for immediate processing.

This information allows the laboratory to fabricate a custom Implant crown or prosthesis that fits accurately and functions naturally.

Try-in and verification

Before final placement, the fabricated restoration is tried in to verify fit, bite alignment, and aesthetics. Any necessary adjustments are made to ensure optimal comfort and function.

This final verification step ensures the Implant restoration meets Platinum Dental Group’s high standards for precision, durability, and patient satisfaction.

Advanced technologies at Platinum Dental Group

At Platinum Dental Group Vietnam, advanced technology plays a vital role in delivering precise, comfortable, and predictable Implant outcomes. From traditional methods to cutting-edge digital solutions, every Implant impression is performed with a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency, and patient experience.

From traditional Implant impressions to digital precision

Traditional Implant impressions have long been a reliable method in Implant dentistry. However, modern digital advancements now allow for even greater precision and consistency.

Platinum Dental Group has integrated digital systems into Implant treatment to minimize distortion, reduce chair time, and enhance overall treatment accuracy – especially for complex or multi-Implant cases.

Digital Implant impressions provide greater precision, reduce chair time, and enhance treatment accuracy compared to traditional methods.
Digital Implant impressions provide greater precision, reduce chair time, and enhance treatment accuracy compared to traditional methods.

Digital Implant impression workflow at Platinum Dental Group

The digital Implant impression process begins with a detailed intraoral scan of the Implant site using advanced scanning technology. A scan body is placed on the Implant to capture its exact three-dimensional position within the jawbone.

The digital data is instantly processed and securely transferred to our dental laboratory. This seamless workflow allows for accurate design and fabrication of Implant crowns and restorations with exceptional fit and natural aesthetics.

Benefits of Platinum Dental Group’s digital Implant impression system

Platinum Dental Group’s digital Implant impression system offers multiple advantages for patients. These include improved accuracy, enhanced comfort, and reduced treatment time.

Digital Implant impressions also allow for better communication between the dentist and laboratory, ensuring precise customization and long-term Implant stability. This technology-driven approach supports predictable results and a smooth, comfortable Implant experience for every patient.

FAQs about Implant impressions

What is an impression on an Implant?

An Implant impression is a detailed record that captures the exact position, angle, and depth of a dental Implant inside the jawbone. This impression allows the dental laboratory to fabricate a crown, bridge, or Implant-supported restoration that fits precisely and functions like a natural tooth.

A well-taken Implant impression is essential to ensure comfort, proper bite alignment, and long-term Implant stability.

How to take an impression of an Implant?

Taking an Implant impression begins after the Implant has fully integrated with the jawbone. The dentist places an impression coping (for traditional methods) or a scan body (for digital methods) onto the Implant.

Next, the Implant position is recorded using impression materials or a digital intraoral scanner. The collected data is then sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate the final restoration with high accuracy.

What are the 4 types of impressions?

In modern dentistry, impressions are commonly categorized into four main types:

  • Preliminary impressions: Used for initial assessment and treatment planning.
  • Final impressions: High-precision impressions used to fabricate the final restoration.
  • Traditional Implant impressions: Taken with impression trays and materials.
  • Digital Implant impressions: Captured using intraoral scanners for enhanced accuracy and comfort.

Each type serves a specific purpose, with digital Implant impressions increasingly preferred for complex Implant cases.

When to take an Implant impression?

An Implant impression is taken after the osseointegration phase, once the Implant has securely fused with the jawbone. This typically occurs several weeks to a few months after Implant placement, depending on individual healing and bone quality.

Timing is critical, as taking the impression too early may affect accuracy and long-term Implant success.

Conclusion & call to action

An accurate Implant impression is a cornerstone of successful Implant treatment, directly influencing fit, comfort, bite stability, and long-term results. From precise Implant positioning to customized restorations, this step ensures your new teeth function and feel as natural as possible.

If you are planning Implant treatment or preparing for your final restoration, schedule a consultation at Platinum Dental Group Vietnam today. Our experienced dental team and advanced digital technology are dedicated to delivering comfortable, precise, and long-lasting Implant solutions tailored to your needs.

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