Spongy floss impregnated with light-polymerizing gel to splint implant impression posts

Abstract

Multiple implant impression posts are often splinted together before making an impression to reduce the potential for movement when removing the impression from the mouth.1Lee H. So J.S. Hochstedler J.L. Ercoli C. The accuracy of implant impressions: A systematic review.J Prosthet Dent. 2008; 100: 285-291Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (239) Google Scholar In the dental laboratory, technicians may splint the laboratory analogs before pouring in stone to minimize the distortion from stone expansion.2Del'Acqua M.A. Arioli-Filho J.N. Compagnoni M.A. Mollo Fde Jr., A. Accuracy of impression and pouring techniques for an implant-supported prosthesis.Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2008; 23: 226-236PubMed Google Scholar Dentists may want to splint the implant laboratory analogs before sending them to the dental laboratory to reduce the chance of displacement during shipping. This splinting has been performed with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. However, acrylic resin has disadvantages, and a straightforward and more convenient technique is presented. It can also be adapted for other uses such as splinting teeth in an emergency.1.Soak a length of spongy floss (Oral B Superfloss; Procter & Gamble) in a light-polymerizing dental gel (Triad Gel; Dentsply Sirona) until it is saturated.2.Position the soaked floss where needed to splint items and light polymerize (Figs. 1, 2). Once light polymerized, it will be rigid, thus splinting the components.Figure 2Splinting implant laboratory analogs.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)3.Use multiple lengths or strands for extra strength. Weaving the spongy floss will also add strength.4.To minimize polymerization shrinkage, use a dental polymerization unit intraorally and initially polymerize around each abutment individually. Leave a small amount unpolymerized between abutments to be polymerized last. This will reduce the overall shrinkage. Sectioning and rejoining of the spongy floss–resin complex between the impression copings may also provide adequate compensation for resin shrinkage.3Assif D. Nissan J. Varsano I. Singer A. Accuracy of implant impression splinted techniques: effect of splinting material.Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1999; 14: 885-888PubMed Google Scholar The author would like to thank several mentors and friends who helped with this article. They declined direct acknowledgment.