A Comparison of implant impression precision: Different materials and techniques

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthodontics
• Biomaterials Science
• Implantology

Background:

• Accurate implant impressions are crucial for the success of implant-supported prostheses.
• Impression material and technique significantly influence the precision of dental impressions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the precision of different impression materials (polyether, polyvinyl siloxane, vinyl siloxanether) using direct and indirect techniques for All-on-4 implant cases.
• To determine the optimal combination of material and technique for precise implant impressions.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-two impressions were made on a model of an edentulous maxilla with four implants using polyether (PE), polyvinyl siloxane (PVS), and vinyl siloxanether (VSE) materials with direct and indirect techniques.
• Implant coordinates were measured using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
• Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-tests, and Tukey's post hoc tests.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in linear and rotational implant displacements were found among materials and techniques.
• Polyether (PE) and vinyl siloxanether (VSE) showed better precision in direct and indirect techniques, respectively, compared to polyvinyl siloxane (PVS).
• Significant differences were observed between PE and VSE, and PE and PVS in the direct technique, and between PVS and PE, and PVS and VSE in the indirect technique.

Conclusions:

• Polyether (PE) is recommended for direct impression techniques.
• Polyether (PE) and vinyl siloxanether (VSE) are recommended for indirect impression techniques.
• Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) is recommended for direct techniques; VSE can be used with either technique.