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Published on: July 15, 2009
Evaluation of impression accuracy for osseointegrated implant supported superstructures
D Herbst1, J C Nel, C H Driessen
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Statement Of Problem:
An often-debated issue still exists concerning implant impression techniques, whether to splint impression copings. Different configurations are available for these copings for a variety of manufacturers' implant systems.
Purpose:
This study evaluated and compared 4 impression techniques in terms of their dimensional accuracy to reproduce implant positions on working casts.
Material And Methods:
A master model was designed to simulate a clinical situation. Impressions were made using 4 techniques: (1) tapered impression copings not splinted; (2) squared impression copings not splinted; (3) squared impression copings splinted with autopolymerizing acrylic resin; and (4) squared impression copings with a lateral extension on one side not splinted. Reference points machined onto the master model and onto special healing abutments were compared after abutments were transferred to casts using the 4 techniques. Measurements were made using a Reflex microscope, capable of recording in the x-, y-, and z-dimensions.
Results:
The dimensional accuracy was high and, although statistically significant (P =.022; power > 80%), a maximum distortion difference of only 0.31% was registered.
Conclusion:
The dimensional accuracy of all the techniques was exceptional and the observed differences can be regarded as clinically negligible.
