I read with interest Dr. Mark Ellis and colleagues’ September JADA article, "An Evaluation of DNA Yield, DNA Quality and Bite Registration From a Dental Impression Wafer" (
Ellis MA, Song F, Parks ET, Eckert G, Dean JA, Windsor LJ. JADA 2007;138[9]:1234–1240[Abstract/Free Full Text]
).
Although I have little experience with quantifying DNA or determining DNA quality, I must say I have used Tooth-prints (Kerr, Orange, Calif.) since they were released and am satisfied with the quality of the bite registration. I also have the children emboss their fingerprints on the handle. If the wafer is heated to the recommended temperature and seated right away, there should be no problem getting as good a quality on the bite registration as if warmed wax were used, which has been a standby for bite registrations for years.
My determination of a quality bite registration from the wafer is to let it set to room temperature and reseat it. I have had a very small percentage that needed to be redone, but the reason always was due to the patient’s not biting long or firmly enough. Once this was resolved, the bite registrations were consistent.
Please don’t construe this suggestion as belittling the research. I am just passing along my experience, so others don’t discount the overall benefits of this inexpensive and easy-to-use method.
