The Accuracy of Intraoral Scanners in Maxillary Defects with Different Model Variations

Background: Advances in digital technology and intraoral scanners (IOSs) have the potential to enable accurate digital impressions for patients with maxillary defects. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of IOSs in completely and partially edentulous models with maxillary defects. Methods: Three polyurethane models-one completely edentulous (CE) and two partially edentulous, following Aramany classifications I (ACI) and II (ACII)-were created using stereolithography. These models were scanned with a desktop scanner to create reference models. Ten scans were performed using three different intraoral scanners (TRIOS 3, Primescan, and Virtuo Vivo). The IOS datasets were analyzed to assess trueness and precision using a two-way ANOVA and multiple-comparison tests with Bonferroni corrections (α = 0.05). Results: Both the model type and the IOS significantly influenced trueness and precision. The interaction between the model type and the IOS was found to be statistically significant (trueness: p = 0.001; precision: p = 0.005). The highest trueness was observed in the ACII model scanned with TRIOS 3 and Primescan. TRIOS 3 and Primescan also exhibited the highest precision in the ACII model. For Virtuo Vivo, there were no significant differences among the models (p = 0.48). Conclusions: Although intraoral scanners (IOSs) demonstrated significant differences in trueness when used in completely and partially edentulous models with maxillary defects, these differences may be considered clinically insignificant.