Pressure forming can be useful when additional forming force is required, when working with models that are difficult to evacuate effectively or when your established production protocol is based on…
FAQ Category: Vacuum vs Pressure Forming
Is vacuum forming sufficient for retainers?
Yes. A correctly operated dental vacuum former can produce accurately fitting clear retainers. Retainer quality depends on the accuracy of the model, appropriate sheet material and thickness, correct heating and…
Is vacuum forming suitable for occlusal splints?
Yes. Vacuum forming is widely used for hard, soft and hard/soft occlusal splints. A suitable material and thickness must be selected for the intended splint design. With the Erkoform range,…
Is pressure forming better for deep undercuts?
Additional forming force can improve adaptation around complex anatomy, but deep undercuts can also cause the finished appliance to lock onto the model or patient. Significant undercuts should therefore be…
Which system produces more consistent material thickness?
Both vacuum and pressure systems can produce consistent results when the process is controlled. Final thickness is strongly influenced by model height, model position, sheet temperature, starting thickness and tooth…
Does pressure forming reproduce finer detail than vacuum forming?
Pressure forming has greater available forming force and can reproduce fine model detail very effectively. High-quality dental vacuum systems can also provide excellent detail for most routine applications. The practical…
Which thermoforming system is better for a dental laboratory?
A laboratory producing a wide range of appliances may find either system suitable, and some laboratories use both. Vacuum systems are convenient, fast and do not require compressed air; pressure…
What are the advantages of vacuum thermoforming?
Vacuum thermoforming is simple, fast and does not require an external compressed-air supply. Modern dental vacuum systems can provide rapid, accurate adaptation and are suitable for a broad range of…
What are the advantages of pressure thermoforming?
Pressure thermoforming uses compressed air to press the heated sheet onto the model and provides high available forming force. It can be useful for demanding geometries, dense or less permeable…
Does pressure forming produce a better-fitting appliance?
Not automatically. Fit depends on the accuracy of the impression, scan and model; correct sheet temperature; model geometry; material selection; forming timing and cooling. Pressure forming provides greater forming force,…