The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in volumetric measurements obtained on an experimental model using an intraoral scanner and a gravimetric method. Three identical partial dentate maxillary acrylic models with three fabricated alveolar defects, in anterior and posterior regions, were scanned using an intraoral scanner (20 scans/defects). The defects differed in terms of size and distance of neighbouring teeth. As references, replicas of each defect were created using a dimensional stable silicone impression material. After measuring the mass of each replica, the volume was calculated by dividing the mass of each replica by the density of the impression material. The defects had a volume, according to the gravimetric method, ranging from 40.5 to 143.7 mm3. The scans were imported to metrology software for analyses. Accuracy was determined in terms of trueness and precision. The mean trueness for all defect types was 0.168 mm3 (SD 0.691, range 2.82). There was no statistical significant difference between the mean trueness for all defects measured (p = 0.910). The mean precision for all defect types was 0.147 mm3 (SD 0.524, range 2.86). There were no statistical significant differences between the dental models in regard to mean precision (p = 0.401), however, there were statistical significant differences between defects in position 1 and 2 (p = 0.002) and 1 and 3 (p = 0.001). Based on the findings of this study, the intraoral scanner utilized in the current study presented an acceptable level of accuracy when measuring volume of defects.
Keywords: Intraoral scanning; Surgical techniques; Tissue alterations; Volumetric measurement; Wound healing.