What is the recommended thickness for a custom tray?

The recommended thickness for a custom tray is typically 2-3 mm. This thickness is ideal because it provides sufficient strength and rigidity while still allowing for a degree of flexibility necessary for accurate impression capture.

A custom tray is designed to conform closely to the contours of the oral cavity, and a thickness in the range of 2-3 mm ensures that the tray can easily adapt to the patient's anatomy without being overly bulky. A thinner tray can lead to distortion, whereas a thicker tray may be unnecessarily heavy and harder to handle during the impression process. This range also helps enhance patient comfort during the procedure.

In the context of impression materials, a properly thickened custom tray aids in achieving a balance between durability and precision, which is critical for prosthetic applications. Hence, the thickness of 2-3 mm is both functional and practical, making it the recommended choice for custom trays.