The accuracy of implant master casts constructed from transfer impressions

The accuracy of master casts fabricated from three impression techniques commonly used with the Brånemark System was measured. Points placed in a metal surrogate model and onto master abutments were compared after abutments were transferred to stone casts using splinted and unsplinted impression coping techniques. The mean values and standard deviations of each of the reference points on 12 total casts were compared with the values for each point from the surrogate model. Values from techniques using splinted and unsplinted squared polymer copings as well as unsplinted tapered hydrocolloid copings were not significantly different from values recorded from the master surrogate model. Tapered hydrocolloid copings yielded a higher correlation to coordinate values on the master than unsplinted squared polymer copings or splinted squared copings.