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Published on: April 29, 2014
Effect of a stackable scanning guide, intraoral scanner type, and operator on the accuracy of maxillary full-arch
Gülce Cakmak1, Nando Bazelli2, Vanadis Schenk2
1Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Digital Dental Technology Laboratory, Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Purpose:
To evaluate how a stackable scanning guide, scanner type, and operator influence the accuracy of maxillary full-arch implant scans.
Methods:
A maxillary edentulous model with four implants was digitized with an industrial scanner (reference model) and scanned using 2 intraoral scanners (Primescan (PS) and Trios 4 (T4)), without (NG) and with a stackable scanning guide (SG), by two independent operators (n = 7). In addition, a conventional open-tray impressions (CNV) were made. Accuracy was assessed superimposing and assessing the 3D, angular, and interimplant distance deviations.
Results:
Impression type affected all 3D, angular, and 2D distance deviation outcomes, while operator influence was minimal (ICC 0-4%). CNV showed the greatest deviations. The scanning guide improved 3D accuracy in a position-dependent manner, with the greatest benefits observed at specific implant sites, particularly at distal positions, with deviations ranked CNV > T4 > PS. PS and T4 performed similarly without the guide, and having the guide a limited influence on angular and interimplant distance outcomes.
Conclusions:
Digital implant scans were more accurate than conventional open-tray impressions for maxillary full-arch implant scans. The use of a stackable scanning guide improved scan trueness in a position-dependent manner, with scanner type influencing deviation patterns; Trios 4 demonstrated more consistent accuracy across implant positions, operator influence was minimal.
Clinical Significance:
A stackable scanning guide can improve full-arch digital implant scan accuracy by providing stable reference landmarks and potentially reducing stitching errors, particularly at distal implant sites.