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Materials and Techniques for Splinting Scan Bodies: A Scoping Review.
Aspasia Pachiou1, Ioulianos Rachiotis2, Alexis Ioannidis1
1Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Digital implant impressions can be improved using splinting techniques and auxiliary devices, especially rigid or geometrically enhanced ones. Flexible splints may decrease accuracy in complete-arch scans.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Digital Dentistry
- Implantology
Background:
- Intraoral scanners are gaining traction for digital implant impressions.
- Accuracy challenges persist in complete-arch and edentulous cases due to limited references and stitching errors.
- Existing evidence on enhancing digital accuracy is fragmented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of methods enhancing digital accuracy in implant workflows.
- To synthesize evidence on splinting, scan-body modification, and auxiliary devices.
- To identify effective strategies for complete-arch digital impressions.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Systematic database search (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science).
- Inclusion of in vitro, clinical, and mixed-design studies evaluating splinting/augmentation techniques for scan bodies.
Main Results:
- Seventy-three studies were included, mostly in vitro on edentulous arches.
- Rigid or geometrically enriched devices generally improved trueness, precision, and scanning efficiency.
- Flexible splints sometimes reduced accuracy; outcomes were scanner-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Splinting and auxiliary strategies enhance complete-arch digital impression accuracy, particularly rigid/complex designs.
- Modified scan bodies and calibrated devices show promise.
- Further in vivo validation and standardized protocols are needed for optimization.
