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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Accuracy in Dental Medicine, A New Way to Measure Trueness and Precision
Published on: April 29, 2014
Evaluating point cloud density, surface topography, and accuracy across six extraoral scanners: A correlational and
Faruk Emir1, Elvan Elif Yüksel2, Muhammed Mustafa Türüdü2
1Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Gülhane Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences University, Ankara, Turkey.
Statement Of Problem:
Accurate digital scans are critical for clinically acceptable restorations, yet the influence of point cloud density and mesh topology on dimensional fidelity remains unclear.
Purpose:
The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare 6 extraoral scanners (EOSs) in terms of trueness, precision, and surface morphology and to examine the relationship between geometric density metrics and coordinate-specific deviations.
Material And Methods:
A mandibular complete arch model with 5 abutments was scanned using 6 devices (10 scans each). A calibrated industrial structured-light scanner (ATOS Core 200) served as the reference device. Trueness (RMS), precision, point density, triangle count, and axis-specific deviations were analyzed with Geomagic and CloudCompare. Statistical tests included nonparametric analyses, 3-way ANOVA, and Spearman correlations (α=.05).
Results:
Significant differences were found among scanners (P<.05). DOF showed the highest trueness, E3 highest precision, and MEDIT lowest performance. Mesh density correlated weakly with accuracy. Z-axis deviations exceeded X and Y (P<.001).
Conclusions:
All scanners met clinical thresholds, but device-specific differences and vertical errors should be considered in complete arch applications.
