Matching accuracy between CT images and intraoral surface scans using glass-ceramic markers compared to gutta-percha...

This study investigated the accuracy of matching computed tomography (CT) images and intraoral surface scans using glass-ceramic (GC) and conventional gutta-percha (GP) markers.

A mandibular master model of the right posterior edentulous region (teeth 45-47) was prepared with three training implants, each with a scan body fixed at the anterior central, left posterior, and right posterior sites. The model was scanned 10 times using an intraoral scanner, and 10 CT matching templates with six GP markers (GPCTMTs) and 10 with six GC markers (GCCTMTs) were fabricated. Each template was mounted on the model for CT imaging and intraoral scanning under air conditions. CT imaging was also performed with the model immersed in water to simulate intraoral scattering. A dentist blinded to the study purpose used implant simulation software for matching, which was performed with GP with six markers (GPCTMT) and GC with three (GCCTMT-3) or six (GCCTMT-6) markers. The three-dimensional discrepancy (matching error) between the implant apex positions on CT images and corresponding positions from surface data was measured automatically, and the median of the three sites served as the representative value. Group comparisons were performed using the Steel-Dwass test.

Under both air and water conditions, GCCTMT-3 (air: 0.61, water: 0.65) and GCCTMT-6 (air: 0.58, water: 0.57) demonstrated significantly lower matching errors (mm) than those in GPCTMT (air: 1.98, water: 1.83).

This model-based study suggests that GC markers provide greater matching accuracy than GP markers for CT-surface data integration.