A Comparative Evaluation of the Positional Accuracy of Multiple Implants by Open Tray Impression Technique using Three Different Splinting Materials: An in vitro study

Abstract


 Aim: To comparatively evaluate the positional accuracy of multiple implants by open tray impression technique using three different splinting materials namely self-cure acrylic resin, pattern resin and flowable composite.
 Materials and Methods: An edentulous maxillary model was fabricated with heat-cure acrylic resin. Four dummy implants were placed bilaterally at canine and second premolar positions in the acrylic model, perpendicular to the horizontal plane and parallel to each other. Open tray impression copings were attached to dummy implants. The copings were splinted with dental floss onto which self-cure acrylic resin was added, which was sectioned and rejoined (for Group A). Similarly, pattern resin (for Group B) and flowable composite (for Group C) were used as splinting materials after sectioning and rejoining as previously described for Group A. Open tray impressions were made using polyvinylsiloxane impression material to obtain 10 casts for each group categorized according to the splinting material used. Interimplant distances were measured between implants on the master model and between the implant analogs in the retrieved casts in three different groups using a Coordinate measuring machine and a comparative evaluation of positional accuracy was done.
 Results: Splinting with materials of all three Groups showed minimal variation in positions of multiple implants and within clinical limits. Group B (pattern resin) had more accurate values similar to master model compared to Group A (self-cure acrylic resin) and Group C (flowable composite), although statistically insignificant. The results with Groups A and C were similar. No statistically significant difference was derived between the three different groups.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that all the three splinting materials evaluated in the study can be recommended as splinting material of choice for multiple implants using open tray impression technique.