Purpose: To evaluate the influence of preparation design and tooth geometry on the accuracy of scans obtained from three different intraoral scanners (IOS).
Materials and methods: Full coverage crown and inlay preparations with known axial wall tapers (6ᵒ and 12ᵒ) were performed on typodont teeth using a computer numerical control machine. Reference models were scanned with a highly accurate reference scanner (Ineos X5) and saved in standard tessellation language (STL) format then each IOS (Omnicam, Trios, and i500) scanned each model 10 times. The STL files obtained from the intraoral scanners were compared to the reference models (trueness) and within each test group (precision). Data were statistically analyzed using three- way ANOVA and one- way ANOVA.
Results: When comparing trueness values extracoronal preparations (32.30 ± 11.23 µm) was significantly better than intra-coronal preparation (59.61 ± 16.42 µm). As for opposing wall taper, one-way ANOVA revealed that the more the convergence or divergence between opposing walls the better is the trueness. Significant differences were observed between the scanners. 3 Shape Trios (35.70 ± 14.12 µm) and medit i500 (44.31 ± 11.41 µm) showed no statistically significant differences. However, both showed significantly better precision results when compared to Omnicam (57.83 ± 22.14 µm).
Conclusion: Extracoronal preparations show better trueness and precision in comparison to intracoronal preparations. Trios and i500 have better trueness and precision than Omnicam. Increasing the taper of the axial wall has a direct effect on trueness of scans obtained from the IOS.
Keywords: Digital dentistry; inlay; intraoral scanners; precision; trueness.
© 2020 by the American College of Prosthodontists.