Evaluation of accuracy of various impression techniques and impression materials in recording multiple implants placed unilaterally in a partially edentulous mandible- An in vitro study

Various factors like implant angulation, type of impression material and tray type affects the implant impression accuracy. To date limited studies were carried out on the implant impression accuracy of unilateral partially edentulous arches. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of 0o, 15o and 25o implant angulations on impression accuracy in simulated master casts of unilateral partially edentulous situation using different impression materials and tray selections. 30 replicas (N = 30) of a resin matrix (control) containing four implant analogues placed unilaterally from the midline till the region of second molar at an angulation of 00, 00, 150 and 250 to the vertical axis of the ridge respectively were obtained by using three impression techniques (stock metal tray, closed custom tray, and open nonsplinted custom tray) and two different impression materials (Polyvinyl-siloxane and polyether). Specific dimensions of the resultant casts were measured using coordinated measuring microscope. Mean linear changes were calculated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc procedures ( < 0.05). The casts obtained from all three impression techniques had significant differences in dimensions (