Accuracy of digitizing elastomeric impression materials using a dental laboratory scanner.

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Digital dentistry
• Metrology

Background:

• Conventional silicone impressions are widely used in dentistry.
• Digital scanning of impressions offers potential for improved workflow and accuracy.
• Understanding the impact of impression material properties on scan data is crucial for digital dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy and precision of scanned data from four conventional silicone impression materials.
• To investigate the effect of impression material properties, specifically color, on laboratory scanner performance.
• To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, surface reproducibility, and microstep detectability of scanned silicone impressions.

Main Methods:

• Four silicone impression materials (Imprinsis Regular, Fusion II, Fit Checker, Imprint3) were used to create impressions of a master model.
• Impressions were scanned using a blue-light laboratory scanner.
• Data were analyzed for 3D reconstruction feasibility, surface reproducibility, and microstep detectability using ANOVA and Tukey's test.

Main Results:

• Three-dimensional reconstruction was successful for all materials except Imprint3.
• Scanning performance was influenced by the spectral reflection factor of the impression material.
• Imprinsis Regular showed significantly better detectability of small step heights (P < 0.05) compared to other materials.
• No significant difference in surface reproducibility was found among the three successfully reconstructed impression materials.

Conclusions:

• Impression material color impacts digitization accuracy with blue-light scanners.
• Imprinsis Regular exhibited higher digitization accuracy.
• Despite variations, the accuracy of the three reconstructible materials falls within clinical tolerance.
• These results can expand digital dentistry applications and reduce errors in dental material usage.