Patent ID: 8033828

Claim:
A method of preparing a tooth for a dental procedure comprising: (A) removing a portion of the tooth to create a tooth abutment; (B) providing a dental device having a first retraction/impression material; (C) placing the dental device containing the first retraction/impression material onto the tooth abutment; (D) exerting pressure on the device to force at least some of the first retraction/impression material into a sulcus associated with the tooth, retracting the sulcus; (E) allowing the first retraction/impression material to set; (F) removing the dental device containing the set first retraction/impression material from the tooth abutment, the set first retraction/impression material defining a custom impression coping; (G) separating the custom impression coping from the dental device; (H) relining the custom impression coping with a second retraction/impression material or placing a second retraction/impression material in at least a portion of the sulcus associated with the tooth; (I) placing the custom impression coping onto the tooth abutment; (J) exerting pressure on the custom impression coping; (K) creating an over-impression over the custom impression coping; (L) removing the over-impression and the custom impression coping from the tooth abutment.