An in vitro study to assess the positional accuracy in multiple implants using different splinting materials in open-tray impression technique

Context: Numerous implant techniques have been suggested in the literature to obtain an accurate master cast. One of those is to splint the impression copings; however, many controversies exist in type of splinting materials used. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the positional accuracy in multiple implants using different splinting materials in open-tray impression technique. Settings and Design: The study design involves an in vitro study. Materials and Methods: An acrylic resin model of a mandibular edentulous arch was used as a reference model in which four 3.75 mm × 10 mm implant analogs were placed and sequentially numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4 from left to right. Open tray impression copings were attached to each of them and were then splinted by three different materials and divided into three Groups as Group I, Group II, and Group III splinted with pattern resin, composite resin, and titanium wire, respectively. Five implant level impressions were made from each group and poured in Type IV dental stone. The implant analogs were transferred to the casts and inter-implant distances were compared to the reference model using the Coordinate Measuring Machine. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA test was used as a test of significance. Results: The present study revealed that all the three splinting materials can be used for the accurate reproduction of spatial relationship. There was no significant difference between the centroids of implant analogs 1 and 2, 1 and 3, 1 and 4, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and 2 and 4 of reference model with the master models. Conclusion: Clinically acceptable accuracy in transferring the position of implants to the master cast could be obtained from all the three splinting materials used. However, splinting of impression copings with titanium wire showed greatest accuracy.