Laboratory Techniques: Stents

Stents are measuring and guidance devices normally created using either a vacuum technique (known as a suck down), or pressure moulding technique, but they can also be created using "cold cure" acrylics. They may be used in a variety of ways by a dental practitioner when developing a scheme of work.

An example of radio-opaque stent created with a cold cure acrylic.

Stents

Can be used during treatment planning, acting as a mould for temporary composite teeth.

Pressure Moulded Stents

Pressure moulding helps form the stent into shape.

Moulded Stents

Can be used during implant placement, acting as a drill guide for single placements.

Stents with Drill Guides

Can be used during implant placement, acting as a drill guide for multiple placements..

An example of an implant stent with radiographers reference guides.

Stents for Reference

Stents can be used whilst taking x-rays to show a known measurable reference. Here we see 5mm spherical guides inset into a stent.

An x-ray showing a human jaw and 5mm radiographic references.

Stents Under X-Ray

The x-ray (left) clearly shows a 5mm radiographic ball bearing, which is being used as a measuring guide to judge bone depth around its location.

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