Accuracy of IOS in Full-Arch Dentate Patients Compared to CBCT Cast-Scanning. An In-Vivo Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Technology
• Digital Dentistry
• Oral Health

Background:

• Accurate digital impressions are crucial for modern restorative dentistry.
• Traditional PVS impressions and CBCT scanning have limitations in precision.
• Intraoral scanners (IOS) offer a potential alternative for digital impressioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy of full-arch digital impressions obtained by an intraoral scanner (IOS) versus cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning of plaster models.
• To evaluate the accuracy of IOS for anterior and posterior teeth, as well as maxillary and mandibular arches.

Main Methods:

• Full-arch PVS impressions and IOS scans (Trios) were acquired from 20 patients.
• Plaster models from PVS impressions were scanned using CBCT and a desktop scanner (reference).
• STL files from IOS and CBCT were compared to the reference using 3D surface measurement software.

Main Results:

• The Trios IOS exhibited a significantly smaller median error (39μm) compared to CBCT (62μm).
• IOS accuracy was higher for anterior teeth (42±16μm) than posterior teeth (47±16μm).
• No significant accuracy differences were found between maxilla and mandible or left and right quadrants for IOS.

Conclusions:

• Full-arch digitization using the Trios IOS is significantly more accurate than CBCT scanning of plaster models.
• The Trios IOS provides statistically more accurate digitization for anterior teeth compared to posterior teeth.