Thickness should be selected according to the appliance and material rather than applying one thickness to every case. Retainers and aligners generally use relatively thin sheets, while adjusted splints and…
FAQ Category: Material Thickness
What thickness should I use for an occlusal splint?
The appropriate thickness depends on the type of splint, available interocclusal space and required rigidity. Erkodur is available across a broad range for adjusted hard splints, while Erkoloc-pro is used…
What thickness should I use for a dental retainer?
Clear retainers commonly use approximately 0.6 to 1.0 mm material, depending on the desired rigidity and durability. Erkodur 0.6 and 0.8 mm are commonly used for Essix-style retainers. Thinner material…
What thickness should I use for a clear aligner?
Clear aligners commonly use material in the approximate 0.6 to 1.0 mm range, depending on material properties and the orthodontic protocol. Erkodur-al is available in several aligner-oriented thicknesses. Thickness affects…
What thickness should I use for a mouthguard?
Sports mouthguards require considerably more material than retainers or aligners because protective thickness must remain after forming. Multilayer products such as Playsafe triple and Playsafe triple light are supplied with…
How much does thermoforming reduce the original sheet thickness?
There is no single percentage that applies to every case. Thickness loss depends on model height, tooth anatomy, model position, material type and the amount of stretching required. High and…
Why does a 1 mm sheet become thinner after thermoforming?
The heated sheet has to stretch over a three-dimensional dental model. As the same amount of plastic covers a larger surface area, the material becomes thinner. The amount of thinning…
How does model height affect final appliance thickness?
The taller the model, the farther the heated material must stretch before adapting to the teeth. Greater stretching generally produces greater thinning, particularly over the highest points of the model.…
How can I maintain consistent material thickness when thermoforming?
Keep model height as low as practical, position the model consistently and use the correct material program and starting thickness. Avoid unnecessary model base height and excessive inclinations that force…
Should I use a thicker sheet to compensate for thinning?
Sometimes, but increasing the starting thickness is not always the best first solution. If excessive thinning is caused by unnecessary model height or poor positioning, a thicker sheet may simply…