Accuracy of impression materials for complete-arch fixed partial dentures.

The accuracy of 12 impression materials of six different types were studied by using complete-arch FPD impressions. Sixty impressions were made of a Columbia dentoform maxillary model with complete cast crown abutment preparations on the canines and the second molars. A one-piece casting was constructed by connecting the four individual castings made for the four abutment teeth. The master prosthesis was seated on the stone casts produced from the impressions. The marginal adaptation on the four abutments was then evaluated with a travelling microscope. The individual marginal adaptation of the four castings on the abutments was also examined after sectioning the four joints. The following conclusions were drawn. 1. The polyethers produced the most accurate complete-arch replicas. The second most accurate were the vinyl polysiloxanes, followed by the polysulfides and the irreversible-reversible hydrocolloids. The least accurate were the reversible hydrocolloids and the irreversible hydrocolloids. 2. The polyether impression materials exhibited the most consistent accuracy for a master cast to fabricate a complete-arch FPD.