geoffteeth, sorry for the late response. You are absolutely correct, "this forum is for sharing and helping". Thats exactly what I was doing along with the suggestion made by another member to google the images. I hope you understand its nearly impossible to catalog all the implant components on the market today. Seems like new companies and their goods sprout up daily. I was only suggesting to photo catalog the most common system used by your lab ASAP. Along with google search, you would probably be better served by downloading catalogs from various manufacturers. This way you can show your trainees what the components look like since it would be next to impossible for a rookie to identify a mysetry component embedded in an impression.
As for the concept I mentioned, its basically two or three parts the need to become familiar with impression copings, analogs and abutments annd screws. Since each manufacturer have different nomenclature for their respective parts you can also get familar with the respective synonyms for the implant components for example: impression copings = impression caps, impression posts, transfer cap, transfer copings,,,etc then you have to decidewhether its open tray or closed tray. Same goes for analogs, implant replica, fixture replica, abutment replica etc. If its a fixture level or abutment level impression.
What your requesting is just not feasable for all the systems out there, which is why I suggested getting them trained on the concept. Your docs should indicate on the script what implant system and size at a minimum as this would reduce if not eliminate any confusion in the laboratory. The photos " you plan on taking" along with downloaded catalogs and a few training sessions teaching restorative implants concepts, you'll be well on your way.
Dont forget manufacturers have different geometries and color coding schemes, whats yellow and 3.4mm could mean something totally different with another system; so by looking at a yellow or red or purple or silver or blue or green or violet component that can be barely seen, and embedded in an impression dont really mean diddly squat unless you know the system used. So I hope this was "helpful enough" ...have a great day.
