title: The effect of splint material rigidity in implant impression techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This in vitro study compared the dimensional accuracy of two impression techniques: Duralay splinted impression copings (D) and metal splinted impression copings (M) for implant-supported prostheses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A master cast with four parallel implant abutment analogs and a passive framework were fabricated. Vinyl polysiloxane impression material was used for all impressions with a metal stock tray. Two groups (D and M) were tested (n = 5). The measurement method employed was just one titanium screw tightened to the framework. Each group's measurements were analyzed using software that received the images of a video camera coupled to a stereomicroscope at 3100 magnification. The results were analyzed statistically (t test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean values of abutment/framework interface gaps were: master cast = 32 Μm (SD 2), group D =165 Μm (SD 60), and group M = 69 Μm (SD 36). There was a statistically significant difference between the D and M groups (P ⋜ .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under the limitations of this study, it could be suggested that a more accurate working cast can be fabricated using metal splinted impression copings.
authors.affiliation: Araraquara University Center - UNIARA, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil. mdelacqua@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Marcelo Antonialli
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Del Acqua
authors.forename: Alejandro Munoz
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: Sabrina Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Castanharo
authors.forename: Marco Antonio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Compagnoni
authors.forename: Francisco de Assis
authors.initials: Fde A
authors.lastname: Mollo
mesh_terms: D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D006801:Humans; D003765:Models, Dental; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013165:Splints
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003760:Dental Impression Materials