pressure unitPressure units and vacuum units for forming thermoplastics have a long history in dentistry. Their use to create preparation guides, formers for temporary materials and occlusal appliances is practically ubiquitous.

Our new course, Using Pressure and Vacuum Thermoplastics, discusses and illustrates creation of several items for use in a dental practice with thermoplastic materials and a pressure unit for forming them. This particular course focuses mainly on a pressure unit, but it's important to note that all of the techniques displayed here are completely transferable to a vacuum unit with one exception. When forming a vacuum model, remember it is required to open up the palate to allow the material to be pulled down and in. The beauty of a pressure unit is the fact that the pressure is applied equally over the entire piece of plastic and forms down onto the model.

After viewing this course on pressure units, you'll know how to:



  • Create hard thermoplastic appliances for occlusion and protective devices

  • Create putty forms as preparation guides and provisional formers

  • Create flexible clear plastic forms as preparation guides and provisional formers

  • Create soft thermoplastic appliances for occlusion and protective devices


Log on now to begin learning about pressure units in the dental practice. If you're not yet a Spear Digital Suite Premium member, click here to learn more.

Denise Prichard is the Editor for Spear Education.

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