How long does implant molding take?

Molding is one of the most important stages of **implant** treatment, which determines the quality of the final restoration. In order to achieve a suitable veneer or prosthesis, the details of the gingival surface and the position of the implant must be carefully recorded. Errors at this stage will lead to prosthesis mismatch, patient discomfort and the need for additional sessions. Accurate knowledge of the duration of implant molding helps to plan the treatment session and reduce the patient's stress. **Why is the duration of implant molding important?** Choosing the right time for implant molding not only affects the patient's experience, but also determines the final accuracy of the prosthesis and the number of subsequent sessions. Knowing the duration of each stage will help you reduce the patient's anxiety and the clinic can make more optimal appointments. **Effective factors on the mold removal time** - The cooperation of the patient to control the gag reflex and keep the mouth open - The number of implants, each additional implant adds 5 to 10 minutes of time on average - The experience and skill of the dentist to master the techniques and minimize errors in implementation - The type of material or two-stage silicon clamping speed device against the digital scanner - The equipment and facilities of the clinic, the presence of a trained assistant and ready tools Implant molding methods and approximate time **Traditional molding steps and precise timing** ### **1. Selecting and checking the mold tray (1-2 minutes)** Choose a suitable implant tray so that its edges exceed the gum by at least 2 mm and be taped with wax. This prevents material from leaking and unwanted expansion. ### **2. Material preparation (1-2 minutes)** Putty phase or alginate according to the instructions with a spiral movement and mix quickly in the tray. Accuracy in the ratio of the two phases ensures the quality of the mold details. ### **3. Insert spacer (1 minute)** Spacer is set with a thickness of 1-2 mm so that the Wash layer has enough space. After the spacer is fixed, add the final putty layer. ### **4. Placing the tray and keeping it (5-8 minutes)** Place the tray on the abutment with even pressure and prevent the patient from moving. The setting time of alginate is 2-4 minutes and Silicone Wash is about 5-8 minutes. ### **5. Take out, disinfect and ship (2-3 minutes)** Remove the mold vertically without swinging it and disinfect it with 70% alcohol solution. Then send it to the laboratory in a special box with a patient label. Total time: 7-11 minutes The average molding process of an implant in a standard clinic takes between 7 and 11 minutes. **Steps of digital molding and duration of each section** - Drying and preparing the implants (2-3 minutes) - Scanning of base and abutment points (5-8 minutes) - Real-time processing and scan correction (5-8 minutes) - Convert the file to STL format and send it online (1-2 minutes) The entire digital process usually takes between 13 and 25 minutes and is accurate to the micron. ### **Key tips to reduce molding time** - Initial training of the patient about how to keep the mouth open - Pre-visit preparation including arrangement of tools and materials - Using a dedicated implant tray to speed up installation - Using CAD/CAM software and new generation scanners - The presence of a skilled assistant to coordinate and monitor the procedures ### **Comparison of the cost of implant molding time in different methods** ### **Summary** The duration of implant molding varies between 5 and 50 minutes depending on the method, the number of implants and the dentist's skill. To increase the accuracy and comfort of the patient, it is recommended to use the digital method in appropriate cases. With careful preparation and patient education, you can significantly speed up the process. ### **