Abstract

Aim: To identify the most accurate impression technique and the ideal impression material to transfer the intra-oral position of implant fixtures to the working cast. Materials and methods: Forty impressions of the master model were made using direct technique with polyvinyl siloxane (Group D-PVS), and polyether (Group D-PE); and indirect technique with polyvinyl siloxane (Group ID-PVS), and polyether (Group IDPE), 10 impressions each. Specified dimensions of the resultant casts were measured using stereomicroscope with digital software. Mean actual cast error and subgroup’s actual cast error was calculated and statistically analyzed using Student Unpaired‘t’ test, ANOVA and Tukey Multiple comparison test. Results: The group’s mean actual cast error observed in Group D-PVS, D-PE. ID-PVS and ID-PE was 0.02825 ± 0.0091, 0.01679 ± 0.0055, and 0.08442 ± 0.01516 mm, respectively. Statistically significant variation was found in mean dimensional accuracy in four groups. Conclusions: The dimensional accuracy of the casts obtained by pouring the impressions made by using direct technique were significantly more accurate as compared to the indirect technique.