Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Accuracy in Dental Medicine, A New Way to Measure Trueness and Precision
Published on: April 29, 2014
Dental Students' Perceptions of Digital and Conventional Impression Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nicola U Zitzmann1, Irina Kovaltschuk1, Patrik Lenherr1
1Drs. Zitzmann and Kovaltschuk contributed equally to this study. Dr. Zitzmann is Chair, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, University Center of Dental Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland; Dr. Kovaltschuk is Dentist, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland; Dr. Lenherr is Senior Lecturer, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland; Dr. Dedem is Senior Lecturer, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland; and Dr. Joda is Head, Section for Digital Reconstructive Technology and Implant Dentistry, and Assistant Professor and Research Associate, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Inexperienced dental students found digital implant impressions easier and preferred them over conventional methods. This suggests integrating digital impression techniques early into dental education is beneficial for adopting new technologies.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Digital Health Technologies
Background:
- Conventional dental impressions are a cornerstone of restorative dentistry.
- Advancements in digital technology offer potential improvements in efficiency and accuracy for dental procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare perceptions of difficulty and applicability between digital and conventional implant impressions among dental students.
- To assess student preferences and performance with both impression techniques.
- To evaluate the efficiency of intraoral optical scanning (IOS) in a student setting.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 50 dental students with no prior clinical experience.
- Students performed both digital (IOS) and conventional implant impressions on a standardized phantom model.
- Perceptions of difficulty and applicability were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaire.
- Objective performance was measured using an "effective scan time per software-recorded time" quotient (TRIOS).
Main Results:
- The majority of students perceived intraoral optical scanning (IOS) as easier than conventional impressions.
- 72% of students preferred the digital impression technique (IOS) over the conventional method.
- While overall work was similar, male students demonstrated more efficient time utilization with IOS (TRIOS quotient).
Conclusions:
- Dental students without clinical experience readily adopted digital impression tools.
- Digital impression techniques are suitable for early integration into dental curricula.
- Early exposure to digital tools prepares students for advancements in computer-assisted oral rehabilitation.
