Comparison of Direct and Indirect Techniques to Develop Customized Implant Impression Copings: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Esthetic Dentistry

Background:

• Accurate impression copings are vital for fabricating well-fitting implant-supported restorations.
• Implant-supported fixed interim restorations (ISFIRs) are used to develop ideal tissue contours for esthetic outcomes.
• Customized impression copings are essential for precisely capturing these contours.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy of direct versus indirect techniques for fabricating customized impression copings.
• To evaluate the ability of these techniques to replicate tissue contours developed by maxillary central incisor ISFIRs.
• To assess the dimensional accuracy at different levels of the coping.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving five patients with maxillary central incisor ISFIRs.
• Fabrication of customized impression copings using both direct and indirect techniques.
• Comparison of experimental (direct, indirect) and control (ISFIR) specimens using linear measurements (buccolingual, mesiodistal) at platform, middle, and gingival margin levels.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found between the control group and direct technique specimens at gingival margin and middle levels (P < .05).
• Statistically significant differences existed between direct and indirect techniques in mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions at the gingival margin, and buccolingual at the middle level (P < .05).
• The indirect technique demonstrated higher accuracy in capturing ISFIR profiles across all measured levels.

Conclusions:

• The indirect technique for fabricating customized implant impression copings appears more accurate for capturing ISFIR profiles.
• The direct technique's accuracy is limited, primarily to the platform level.
• Choosing the appropriate impression coping fabrication technique is crucial for achieving optimal esthetic results in implant dentistry.