‘ TRANSFER COPING ‘ VS. ‘PICKUP COPING’ IMPLANT IMPRESSIONS

Impression copings for implant prosthetics generally come in two distinctly different types: closed tray (or transfer coping) or open tray (or pickup coping).

If you use an open tray impression coping may bring a little bit of anxiety with it since you must make sure you can find and access the impression coping screw in order to remove the impression especially when you have ever locked an impression in the mouth. It is for this reason that many clinicians would rather use closed tray impression copings which is easy to use.

If you have multiple implants but plan on restoring them as single units, you may choose to use closed tray impression copings for ease of use. However, if the implants are malaligned it is advisable to use open tray impression copings since the misalignment of the implants may lock the impression in the mouth if closed tray impression copings are used because of their lack of draw. In general, if you have a question on the accuracy of which one to use, the use of an open tray impression coping will typically be more accurate. If you have a question on easy use which one to use, the use of a close tray impression coping will typically be easier.