IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ACCURACY OF DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS VERSUS CONVENTİONAL IMPRESSIONS AT VARYING IMPLANT DEPTHS FOR SINGLE CROWNS

Abstract

Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant vertical positioning on the accuracy of digital and conventional impressions for single implants using three-dimensional superimposition analysis.Material and Methods: A master model with a single implant analog (Biohorizons, 5.7 mm) was prepared at three different gingival depths (2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm) in the mandibular first molar region. Digital impressions were obtained using two intraoral scanners (Trios 3Shape and Cerec Omnicam), while conventional impressions were taken using polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) and condensation silicone (Type C silicone). In total, 96 test models (n=8 per group) were generated. All models were digitized and compared to the reference STL model using reverse-engineering software (Rapidform) for 3D deviation analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (α=0.05).Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the digital impression groups (p>0.05). Among conventional techniques, the group using C-silicone showed significantly higher deviations than the PVS group (p