Accuracy of replacing three tapered transfer impression copings in two elastomeric impression materials

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Prosthodontics
• Implant Dentistry

Background:

• Accurate transfer coping replacement is crucial for successful dental implant restorations.
• Variability in impression materials and coping designs may affect replacement accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of reseating tapered transfer copings from three different manufacturers into two elastomeric impression materials.
• To compare the replacement accuracy among Dental Imaging Associates, Implant Innovations Inc., and Steri-Oss copings.

Main Methods:

• Five operators repeatedly replaced copings from Dental Imaging Associates, Implant Innovations Inc., and Steri-Oss into impressions made with Impregum F and Extrude.
• Angular deviations (replacement error) were measured between the original and replaced coping positions.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare accuracy between coping manufacturers and impression materials.

Main Results:

• No single coping could be replaced accurately and consistently by all operators.
• Steri-Oss and Dental Imaging Associates copings demonstrated significantly lower angular deviations (higher accuracy) compared to the Implant Innovations coping.
• No significant difference in replacement accuracy was observed between Impregum F and Extrude impression materials.

Conclusions:

• The manufacturer of the tapered transfer coping significantly influences its replacement accuracy in dental impressions.
• Steri-Oss and Dental Imaging Associates copings offer superior reseating accuracy over Implant Innovations copings.
• Impression material choice (Impregum F vs. Extrude) does not significantly impact the accuracy of these specific coping replacements.