Gingival Mask
A pink resin or silicone material used on implant models to simulate soft tissue, allowing accurate contouring of prosthetic emergence profiles.
Full Definition
A gingival mask is a soft, removable, tooth-coloured or pink-coloured resin or silicone material poured or injected around implant analogs or prepared teeth on a working cast to replicate the appearance and compressibility of gingival tissue. It enables the dental technician to sculpt and verify the sub-gingival contours of crowns, abutments, and bridges as they would relate to the soft tissue in the patient's mouth. Gingival masks are a standard component of implant working models and are often described in laboratory model-ordering specifications. Editors should not confuse this term with 'gingival contour,' which describes the morphology of the restoration itself rather than the cast material.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from 'gingival contour,' which refers to the shape of the restoration margin and sub-gingival profile, not the cast material.
In Context
- "The laboratory uses a polyurethane gingival mask to ensure accurate subgingival crown contours on all implant cases." — Laboratory capability brochure
- "A removable gingival mask is essential when checking the emergence profile of a screw-retained implant crown." — Technical training manual