Evaluation of positional accuracy in multiple implants using four different splinting materials: An in vitro study.

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Prosthodontics
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Prosthesis misfit in implant restorations can lead to complications like screw loosening and fracture.
• Accurate impressions are crucial for passive fit and long-term success of implant prostheses.
• Splinting multiple implants with accurate materials is a viable option to improve impression accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the positional accuracy of multiple implants using different splinting materials.
• To compare the efficacy of acrylic resin, pattern resin, flowable composite, and bite registration paste for implant splinting.

Main Methods:

• Four implant analogs were placed in an acrylic resin model and splinted using four different materials: acrylic resin, pattern resin, flowable composite, and bite registration paste.
• Impressions were made using vinyl polysiloxane, and the positional accuracy of the analogs in the retrieved casts was analyzed.
• Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA and confidence interval calculation to assess accuracy.

Main Results:

• All tested splinting materials demonstrated comparable accuracy in reproducing implant positions.
• No significant differences were found in the interimplant distances between the master model and the tested groups (P > 0.05).
• Flowable composite and bite registration paste showed accuracy on par with conventionally used pattern resin and acrylic resin.

Conclusions:

• Flowable composite and bite registration paste are recommended as suitable splinting materials for multiple implant impressions.
• These materials offer comparable accuracy to traditional splinting agents like pattern resin and acrylic resin.
• The use of flowable composite or bite registration paste can enhance the precision of multi-implant restorations.