Evaluation of the accuracy of frameworks with splint impression technique on implant-supported prostheses

Dentists can reduce errors of bridge's framework through controlling and reducing errors during impression. Open tray splitting impression is a method that it's precision is questionable. The aim of this study was evaluation of framework's marginal gap produced in direct impression with and without splinting. This experimental in vitro study was done on two parallel implants (regular Neck ITI), that inserted on left premolar and molar region mandibular model. Ten final impressions by open tray and ten final impressions with splinted technique were made. Marginal gap was measured with direct view method. We used SPSS 18 and T-Test for analysis. mean gap in splint and conventional methods were (43.87±11.35) µ and (87.30±34.50) µ, respectively. There was a significant difference between two methods (P<0.001). Also the marginal gap in distal and mesial retainer with splint method were significantly lower than conventional method (P<0.05). Marginal gap in splint method was lower. Because marginal integrity level of splint method was high, for final impression of implant supported bridge suggestion, however clinical procedure of this method is difficult.