Review Article

The selective pressure maxillary impression: A review of

the techniques and presentation of an alternate custom
tray design
Sa n a t h Sh e t t y , P. V e n k a t Ra t n a N a g , K a m a l a k a n t h K . Sh e n o y

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Depar t m ent of Pr ost hodont ics including Cr ow n and Br idge and I m plant ology, Yenepoya Dent al College,
Der lak at t e, Mangalor e, Kar nat ak a, I ndia
Fo r c o r r e s p o n d e n c e

Dr. Sanat h Shet t y, Depar t m ent of Pr ost hodont ics including Cr ow n and Br idge and I m plant ology, Yenepoya Dent al College, Der lak at t e,
Mangalor e, Kar nat ak a, I ndia. E- m ail: dr shet t y @r ediffm ail. com

An impression in complete dentures is the first step in the fabrication of the complete denture prosthesis. Various theories
have been proposed by different authors as to how to achieve an optimum impression in different ways. Among them the
most accepted is selective pressure theory, which was advocated by Carl O Boucher. In the last few decades many authors
have interpreted Bouchers selective pressure in various ways making it more complicated and difficult to follow. But all the
authors proposed their concepts based on the available information of the underlying functional and histologic anatomy during their time.
This article reviews the various ways of achieving selective pressure as seen by different authors and also includes a custom
tray design to achieve selective pressure, which is based on the newer concepts of the stress bearing and relieving areas in
the maxillary edentulous impression procedures.
Key words: Escape holes/ relief holes/ vent holes, relief areas, selective pressure impression, spacer design, stops,
stress-bearing areas

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VI E W S O F D I F F E R E N T AU T H O R S O N
H OW T O ACH I E VE S E LE CT I VE P R E S S UR E
IMP RES S ION S ?
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Figure 1: (a) A. Roy Mac Gregors design, (b) Neills design

The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society | March 2007 | Vol 7 | Issue 1

Shetty, et al.: The selective pressure maxillary impression

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ALT E R N AT I VE C US T O M T R AY D E S I G N T O
ACH IEVE S ELECTIVE P RES S URE MAXILLARY
IMP RES S ION S

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The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society | March 2007 | Vol 7 | Issue 1

Shetty, et al.: The selective pressure maxillary impression

Th
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a PD
si F
te is
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st va
(w ed ilab
w by le
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Figure 2: (a) Boucher design, (b) Morrow, Rudd, Rhoads design

Figure 6: Completed spacer design with wax cut in four areas located
in the canine and molar region for tissue stops

Figure 3: (a) J.J Sharrys design, (b) Bernard Levins design

Figure 4: Adaptation of 0.4 mm wax

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Figure 7: (a) Graph showing initial pressures during mechanical tray
seating, (b) Graph showing end pressures during mechanical tray
seating

Figure 5: Modeling wax removed in the regions of crest of the alveolar

ridge and the horizontal plates of the palate
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The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society | March 2007 | Vol 7 | Issue 1

Shetty, et al.: The selective pressure maxillary impression

DIS CUS S ION

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2.

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1951;1:47291.
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. 3 . , :
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, . . 3
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, .

14.

15.

Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Th

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1969;22:40013.

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