An apparatus and method to avoid dental impression material distortion comprised
of dental impression triple tray with a flexible hinge rendered inflexible by a
light-cured compound. The curing light is conveyed by an optical fiber assembly.
Accurate simultaneous impressions of upper and lower impressions and bite registration,
with the mouth completely closed and the jaw accurately positioned in centric closure
are insured. Spring back of the impression tray frame caused by bite pressure against
points on the frame are minimized by allowing the hinge element to initially flex
when first placed in the mouth. While the impression polymer is curing, a light
of the proper frequency range is delivered via the optical fiber to the light-cured
compound in the hinge area to render the hinge inflexible.
