The selective pressure maxillary impression: A review of the techniques and presentation of an alternate custom tray design

An impression in complete dentures is the first step in the fabrication of the complete denture prosthesis. Various theories have been proposed by different authors as to how to achieve an optimum impression in different ways. Among them the most accepted is selective pressure theory, which was advocated by Carl O Boucher. In the last few decades many authors have interpreted Boucher's selective pressure in various ways making it more complicated and difficult to follow. But all the authors proposed their concepts based on the available information of the underlying functional and histologic anatomy during their time. This article reviews the various ways of achieving selective pressure as seen by different authors and also includes a custom tray design to achieve selective pressure, which is based on the newer concepts of the stress bearing and relieving areas in the maxillary edentulous impression procedures.