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Updated: May 8, 2026
Accuracy in Dental Medicine, A New Way to Measure Trueness and Precision
Published on: April 29, 2014
Beyond the surface: A comparative study of intraoral scanners in subgingival configuration scanning
Petros Mourouzis1, Dimitrios Dionysopoulos1, Christos Gogos2
1Department of Dental Tissues Pathology and Therapeutics, Division of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objectives:
This study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of three intraoral scanners (CEREC Primescan, TRIOS, CEREC Omnicam) and a lab scanner (inEosX5) assessing their precision in simulating subgingival tooth preparations.
Methods:
Utilizing a dental simulation mannequin with a 3D-printed resin structure, 100 structures with depths ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 mm were created within a square mimicking a rectangular tank surface. Four scanner groups (A-D) and five subgroups were established. Two digitization methods, a customized parallelometer and an intraoral simulation, were applied, ensuring a standardized scanning sequence. Trueness was evaluated by comparing CAD-calculated surface areas with actual dimensions, and qualitative trueness analysis was conducted using MeshLab. Surface areas were computed using the formula SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh. Statistical analyses, including Pearson's correlation coefficient, Kolmogorov-Smirnoff and Levene's tests, three-way ANOVA, and paired sample t-tests, elucidated relationships and differences (a=0.05).
Results:
A robust correlation (r = 0.850, p < 0.001) between intraoral scanner choice and scanned area depth was found. Inverse correlations were noted for experimental methods. Three-way ANOVA demonstrated significant scanner-depth interaction (F(12,760) = 760.801, p < 0.001).
Significance:
Emphasizing high-resolution sensors and advanced technologies, the study underscores the optimal choice for subgingival digitization, acknowledging variations among scanners.
