Clinical evaluation of tissue stops on 3D-printed custom trays

This study evaluated the quality of impressions taken using three-dimensional (3D)-printed custom trays with different tissue stops to optimize the custom tray designs. Different custom trays were designed and printed based on six edentulous patients. These trays were divided into four groups based on the tissue-stop designs: 3DP trays (3D-printed trays without tissue stops), 3DPS trays (3D-printed trays with saddle-shaped tissue stops), 3DPM trays (3D-printed trays with marginal-band tissue stops) and 3DPIM trays (3D-printed trays with inner marginal-band tissue stops). Final impressions were taken using these trays, of which, the 3DP and 3DPIM trays were preborder-moulded. The finished complete dentures were used to take impressions that were set as the reference group to analyse the accuracy of the final impressions. The impressions taken using the 3DP custom trays (preborder-moulded) were used as a reference to analyse the extensions of the impressions taken using the other three custom trays. Randomized block or Friedman tests were used to evaluate each group’s statistical significance. The results revealed that the 3DPIM custom trays with the inner marginal-band tissue stop facilitated the preborder-moulding process and improved the accuracy and extension of the impression.