Instrument and method for making dental impressions

摘要

A gun-like instrument for making dental impressions, comprising an outer air nozzle and an inner nozzle for impression material within the outer nozzle, the inner nozzle projecting beyond the tip of the outer nozzle so that any tendency of the impression material to plug the outer nozzle is eliminated. The air emanating from the outer nozzle first removes debris from the operative area, and then causes the impression material to impinge on the tooth in such a way as to form an accurate impression. The instrument includes a hand grip having a finger operable trigger forwardly thereof for discharging impression material from the inner nozzle, a valve for discharging air from the air nozzle, and thumb operable valve actuators on opposite sides of the instrument for opening the air valve. With this construction, the fingers can be used to control the discharge of impression material, while the thumb is used to control the discharge of air independently. Equipping the instrument with thumb operable valve actuators on opposite sides thereof renders the instrument usable by either a left-handed or a right-handed operator.