Individualized erlanger KS-impression trays for infants with cleft lip and palate.
OBJECTIVE
The use of individualized impression trays is required when taking impressions of the maxilla in infants with cleft lip and palate. Custom trays made of plastic such as polymethylmethacrylate, as well as generic, full-arch infant metal trays, have been used up to now. Given the increasing incidence of infectious diseases, the ability to sterilize impression trays for infants with cleft lip and palate is mandatory. Polymethylmethacrylate impression trays are altered in shape and consistency when autoclaved during the sterilization process. Therefore, they have to be fabricated afresh at regular intervals.


METHODS
Based on modified mold patterns of the available plastic trays, 44 pieces were sorted into four groups of 11 trays in ascending order of size. On these plaster casts, which served as the male part of the template, a 1-mm layer of sheet wax was applied. An optimized ergonomic wax handle was then fitted to the wax plate. Realization in a chromium-cobalt-molybdenum alloy was performed according to the lost wax principle.


CONCLUSIONS
The sterilizable Erlangen KS-Impression tray (Erlanger KS-Abformlöffel®) is now available in 11 sizes for each of four basic forms. They meet current hygiene guidelines. They can be recommended for routine use when taking impressions in infants with any form of cleft lip and palate without complications.
Department of Orthodontics and Orofacial Orthopedics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. karin.strobel-schwarthoff@uk-erlangen.de
Karin
K
Strobel-Schwarthoff
Ursula
U
Hirschfelder
Elisabeth
E
Hofmann
D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D003765:Models, Dental; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry
D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate