Which type of impression tray only covers half of the dental arch?

The type of impression tray that only covers half of the dental arch is referred to as a quadrant tray. This tray is specifically designed to capture the details of a single quadrant, which is either the upper right, upper left, lower right, or lower left section of the mouth. Quadrant trays are particularly useful in procedures where only a limited area of the dental arch needs to be imaged or treated, making them efficient and practical for specific applications in dental practices.

Full trays, on the other hand, encompass the entire dental arch, and universal trays can cover both arches or be utilized in a versatile manner for different cases. Dual trays are typically designed for dual arch impressions, allowing for both upper and lower impressions to be captured simultaneously but are not limited to covering just half of the dental arch. Understanding the distinctions between these types of trays is vital for selecting the appropriate tool for various dental procedures.