When seating a mandibular impression tray, what should the patient do with their tongue?

When seating a mandibular impression tray, instructing the patient to lift their tongue up to the palate is crucial for several reasons. This position helps to create more space in the floor of the mouth, allowing the dental assistant to properly seat the tray without interference from the tongue.

Moreover, elevating the tongue can help in achieving a more accurate impression by allowing for better coverage of the underlying structures, such as the lingual and buccal borders. A proper impression relies on the soft tissues being adequately captured, and having the tongue in the correct position minimizes the risk of it obstructing the impression material.

In contrast, a relaxed tongue down position can lead to an incomplete impression due to the tongue potentially interfering with the tray placement. Moving the tongue side to side could also result in an inaccurate impression by shifting the position of the tray and creating gaps in the material. Holding the tongue in the cheek does not provide the necessary access and may result in the tray not seating properly. Hence, having the patient elevate their tongue ensures a better outcome during the impression-taking process.