Question

In order to correctly seat a lower alginate impression you should have your patient:

Answer 1

To seat a lower alginate impression correctly, the patient should open their mouth wide, breathe normally, close their mouth with even pressure, and hold steady until it sets.

Step-by-step explanation:

To correctly seat a lower alginate impression, the patient should be instructed to:

1. Open their mouth comfortably and widely enough to allow the impression tray to be inserted.
2. Stay relaxed and breathe normally through their nose to avoid gagging.
3. Close their mouth gently onto the tray, ensuring even pressure across the entire surface so that the mucosa is accurately captured and the impression material does not displace.
4. Hold the impression steadily in place until the alginate has completely set, following the manufacturer’s recommended setting time.

Technicians and dentists must be attentive to the patient’s comfort during impression taking, while also making sure that the alginate material covers all necessary areas of the dentition and oral structures.