What term describes a dental impression tray that is tailored to fit a specific patient's mouth?

The term that describes a dental impression tray specifically tailored to fit a patient's mouth is a custom tray. Custom trays are designed to conform precisely to the unique contours of an individual patient's dental arch, which allows for a more accurate impression. This precision is critical, as it ensures that the resulting impression captures all necessary details for procedures such as creating crowns, bridges, or dentures.

The customization process typically involves taking an initial impression using a standard tray and then creating a model from that impression. From this model, a custom tray is fabricated, usually using materials that allow it to adapt closely to the structure of the patient's mouth. The benefits of using a custom tray include improved comfort for the patient and enhanced accuracy of the impression, which are vital for successful dental outcomes.