EVALUATION OF THE ACCURACY BETWEEN SPLINTING AND NON-SPLINTINGIMPRESSION TECHNIQUES FOR MULTIPLE IMPLANTS

Resumo

Introduction: Among the determinant factors for the implant-supported prosthesis longevity is the exact and comprehensive process of impression which results is the passive prosthesis fitting. Objective: To compare the transfer coping impression techniques with or without splinting, after the isolation of the factors associated to the passive fitting. Methods: Based on the control group composed by an edentulous mandibular master model (self-cured acrylic resin) with four external hexagon parallel implants splinting with a metallic bar, four customized open trays were constructed with self-cured acrylic. Ten impressions were made with condensation silicone (Xantopren®), poured with type IV plaster (Durone ®), and then divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=5) – non-splinting multi unit transfer copings; and Group 2 (n=5) – splinting multi unit transfer copings with a bar constructed with self-cured acrylic resin (Palavit G ®) and dental floss, with the aid of an addition silicon mold (Elite Double ® Zhermack). Next, the bar was cut and splinted again. The ten transfer molds were measured at the center of the labial surface of each implant with the aid of Stereoscopic Magnifying Glass (Physis®) with x60 magnification. The results were tabulated and submitted to non-parametric statistics through Kruskal-Wallis test (P?0.05). Results: The means were: 22.44 µm (±7) for control group, 26.86 µm (±10) for direct splinting, and 24.70 µm (±13) for direct non-splinting technique. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found between the tested techniques.