Accuracy of photogrammetry, intraoral scanning, and conventional impression techniques for complete-arch implant rehabilitation: an in vitro comparative study

Background To compare the accuracy of photogrammetry, intraoral scanning and conventional impression techniques for complete-arch implant rehabilitation. Methods A master cast containing 6 implant abutment replicas was fabricated. Group PG: digital impressions were taken 10 times using a photogrammetry system; Group IOS: intraoral scanning was performed to fabricate 10 digital impressions; Group CNV: splinted open-tray impression technique was used to fabricate 10 definitive casts. The master cast and conventional definitive casts were digitized with a laboratory reference scanner. For all STL files obtained, scan bodies were converted to implant abutment replicas using a digital library. The accuracy of a digitizer was defined by 2 main parameters, trueness and precision. "Trueness" was used to describe the deviation between test files and reference file, and "precision" was used to describe the closeness between test files. Then, the trueness and precision of three impression techniques were evaluated and statistically compared (α = 0.05). Results The median trueness was 24.45, 43.45 and 28.70 μm for group PG, IOS and CNV; Group PG gave more accurate trueness than group IOS (P < 0.001) and group CNV (P = 0.033), group CNV showed more accurate trueness than group IOS (P = 0.033). The median precision was 2.00, 36.00 and 29.40 μm for group PG, IOS and CNV; Group PG gave more accurate precision than group IOS (P < 0.001) and group CNV (P < 0.001), group CNV showed more accurate precision than IOS (P = 0.002). Conclusions For complete-arch implant rehabilitation, the photogrammetry system showed the best accuracy of all the impression techniques evaluated, followed by the conventional impression technique, and the intraoral scanner provided the least accuracy.

Effect of Mixing and Impression Techniques Using Vinyl Polysiloxane (VPS) on the Accuracy of Fixed Partial Dentures

Two critical factors that influence the accuracy of an impression include the proper manipulation of the impression materials and the technique used to make the impression. The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the effect of different mixing techniques on the accuracy of vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impressions by assessing metal framework fit of fixed partial restorations. The study included 92 consecutive patients diagnosed with partial edentulism and treated with fixed partial denture restorations. The mixing technique was one of the two following mixing methods: hand mixing technique (45 patients), with the putty material mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions; or mechanical mixing technique (47 patients), with the putty material mixed by a Pentamix device. Under both mixing methods, vinyl polysiloxane was used as the impression material. Two impression techniques were randomly used by the operators (One/Two-stage putty –wash impression techniques). The accuracy of the metal framework restorations was tested clinically and radiologically, resulting in significant statistical difference (p = 0.04) between different mixing techniques. The mechanical mixing produced more accurate restorations (metal framework misfit only in 14.9% of patients vs. hand mixing 31.1%). Regarding the impression techniques, the two-stage impression technique was found to be significantly more accurate (p = 0.04), resulting in 14.6% ill-fitted metal frameworks vs. 31.8%, in the one-stage technique. It can be concluded that mechanical mixing yields more accurate impressions leading to more accurate restorations, especially when combined with two-stage impression technique.

Management of cawood class V mandibular ridge using “Dynamic impression technique”: A case report

Residual ridge resorption is a chronic, progressive, irreversible and cumulative disease. Stability is defined as resistance to horizontal displacement of prosthesis. Providing a stable lower denture has been challenging for dentists. This article outlines the management of the mandibular ridge resorption with dynamic impression technique. Stability of complete lower dentures has challenged dentists and patients alike. Dynamic impression technique is clinically significant for management of resorbed mandibular ridge, as the range of action of the muscles and other structures that relate to the denture space is recorded by an impression so that the denture can be shaped accordingly.

Accuracy of the Provisional Prosthesis Scanning Techniqueversus a Conventional Impression Technique on Completely Edentulous Arches

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to compare the marginal fit of fixed dental restorations fabricated with the provisional prosthesis scanning technique versus a conventional impression technique and to determine the effect of both variables on the accuracy outcome. Materials and Methods: Twelve identical polyurethane edentulous maxillary models were equally divided into two groups: control (conventional impression group) and test (provisional prosthesis scanning group). After obtaining the impression using the above-mentioned methods and further preparing the final prosthesis, the passivity of the metal framework prosthesis was checked using a single screw test, i.e., only one screw was fixed on the terminal right abutment, and all others were empty. The marginal fit of the final prosthetic frameworks screwed onto the implants on the terminal left abutment was measured at the terminal right sight by periapical radiographs obtained immediately after metal framework placements in both groups. The medians derived from the two groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. In all tests, a p-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: In the provisional prosthesis scanning group, the median marginal fit discrepancy was 170 µm (range 120–190). In the conventional impression group, the median marginal fit discrepancy was 1080 µm (range 1040–1100). There was a significant difference in the implant-framework marginal gap fit discrepancy between these two groups. Conclusion: Prostheses fabricated with the provisional prosthesis scanning technique are significantly more accurate than those fabricated with conventional impression techniques.

Open tray impression technique using a silica-nylon mesh for splitting implants: a case report

This article describes an alternative open tray technique for implant impressions using a novel reinforced silica-nylon mesh covered with acrylic resin as a splitting system in assembling the abutment complex. The purpose of the procedure is to simplify the technique and improve the resin contraction during clinical procedure, and also optimizes and reduces the chairside time for the patient. The clinical report was supported by an in vitro study where an analysis tool, Strain Gauge Analysis, was used to prove the clinical effectiveness of the technique. The peri-implant strain was determined on polyurethane casts with the torqued prosthesis, and statistically there was no difference in strain under torque of transfers or in the final prosthesis. The nylon mesh attached to acrylic resin represents a promising option for open tray impression technique, creating a resistant union to transfer in an excellent procedure time.