Accuracy of Three Impression Materials on the Totally Edentulous Maxilla: In Vitro/In Silico Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed at comparing the accuracy of impressions of a reference typodont (RT) reproducing a totally edentulous maxilla made with three impression materials: polysulfide, polyether, and polyvinyl-siloxane.

METHODS

The RT was scanned using a desktop scanner, obtaining a reference scan. Ten impressions for each of the three tested materials were made using a mechanical device with a standardized and consistent modality. A laboratory scanner performed the digitization of each impression. We produced digital models by processing "in reverse" the scans of the physical impressions using a dedicated software, obtaining three groups (n = 10), respectively. The groups were titled: "polysulfide," "polyvinyl-siloxane," and "polyether." The scans in .stl format were imported into Geomagic Control X and then compared to RT to evaluate the accuracy of each scan by calculating trueness and precision in µm. Recorded data were subjected to descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Trueness (arithmetic proximity) values (95%CI) were: polysulfide = 249.9 (121.3-378.5), polyvinyl-siloxane = 216.8 (123.1-310.6), polyether = 291.1 (219.9-362.3). Precision values (95% CI) were: polysulfide = 261.9 (108.8-415), polyvinyl-siloxane = 209.4 (111.9-306.8), polyether = 283 (227.9-338.1). Statistically significant differences were not detected between the means of the experimental groups, both for trueness and precision.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of the scans obtained from polyvinyl-siloxane, polysulfide, and polyether impressions can be considered comparable in a fully edentulous maxilla.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.