The effect of implant angulation and impression technique on impression accuracy of NobelActive implants.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the accuracy of implant impression techniques in vitro, using closed and open tray impression techniques, for NobelActive implants placed at various angulations. Materials and Methods: Six NobelActive implants were placed in a master cast as follows: 0 degrees of angulation to a line drawn perpendicular to the occlusal plane in the molar area, 15 degrees of angulation to a line drawn perpendicular to the occlusal plane in the premolar area, and 30 degrees of angulation to a line drawn perpendicular to the occlusal plane in the incisor area. Twelve open tray and twelve closed tray impressions were made. Occlusal, lateral and frontal view photographs of the resulting casts were taken and analyzed in Adobe Photoshop. Linear displacement was measured in micrometers and angular displacement was measured in degrees. Statistical analysis was performed using a factorial analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference test. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant difference found in the accuracy of impressions made of NobelActive implants using the open or closed tray technique when measured in micrometers or degrees. In addition, there was no significant difference found in the accuracy of impressions made of NobelActive implants placed at 0, 15 or 30 degrees of angulation to a line drawn perpendicular to the occlusal plane when measured in micrometers or degrees. Finally, there was no significant interaction found between impression technique and implant angulation on NobelActive implants. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, impression technique (open vs. closed tray) and implant angulation (0, 15, and 30 degrees to a line drawn perpendicular to the cast) did not have a significant effect on the accuracy of in vitro impressions made of NobelActive implants.