Can a Layperson Safely and Adequately Take Dental Impressions?

Objectives: This study looked to see if adequate impressions (upper and lower) could be taken by a layperson, compared to a dental professional using an impression-taking guide (IFU) and kit only.
Methods: A total of 55 people were screened and 53 people enrolled. ICF/ Oral exam/ Photographs were performed. A total of 324 full impressions were taken :162 upper impressions taken (108 by Subject/ 54 by Clinician) 162 Lower impressions taken (108 by Subject/ 54 by Clinician) One clinician performed the same criteria outlined in the “Impression Taking Guide” (IFU).
Results: Fifty-three (53) participants with a median age of 28.44 (IQR = 7.44). Thirty-three (33) participants (62%) were female. Absence of gumline was the most likely reason for an unacceptable impression. Twenty-three (23) participants (43.40%) were able to make at least one completely acceptable upper impression. Thirty-two (32) participants (60.38%) were able to make at least one completely acceptable lower impression. Thirty-five (35) of the clinician-made upper impressions (66.04%) were completely acceptable. Forty-eight (48) of the clinician-made lower impressions (90.57%) were completely acceptable. The odds of a clinician-made impression being acceptable were 4.6 times the odds for a participant-made impression (95 CI =2.214-9.462, p<0.0001). Lower impression were acceptable 3.3 times the odds for an upper impression being acceptable (95 CI=1.651-6.682, P=0.0008). There were no statistically significant differences when a layperson took impressions, except for capturing the back teeth in the upper impression which improved the second time (P=0.02).
Conclusions: This study evaluated the usability and safety of the layperson taking their own impressions, compared to dental professionals. Overall, the layperson was able to produce an acceptable upper and lower impression roughly 50% of the time with no safety issues. The next step would be to evaluate lab-processed appliances (i.e. mouth guards, bleaching trays etc.) for fit and accuracy.