Rubber Base Impression
A dental impression made using elastomeric materials such as polyvinyl siloxane or polyether to produce an accurate negative replica of oral structures.
Full Definition
Rubber base impressions use elastomeric impression materials — including condensation silicone, addition silicone (polyvinyl siloxane, PVS), and polyether — to record fine detail of prepared tooth surfaces, soft tissue contours, and edentulous ridges for the fabrication of indirect restorations, prostheses, and study models. 'Rubber base' is a colloquial umbrella term; in formal clinical or laboratory documentation, the specific material type should be named. Editors should be aware that 'rubber base' is still widely used in clinical notes but may need to be replaced with the precise material name in peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Usage
Usage note: In formal manuscripts, replace 'rubber base impression' with the specific material type (e.g., 'polyvinyl siloxane impression'). Retain 'rubber base' only in texts targeting a clinical practitioner audience where the colloquialism is conventionally accepted.
In Context
- "A dual-arch rubber base impression was taken to capture the preparation and opposing dentition simultaneously." — Fixed prosthodontics clinical note
- "For peer review submission, the authors were advised to replace 'rubber base impression' with 'vinyl polysiloxane impression material'." — Editorial revision letter