Purpose: To investigate the effect of training on scanning times of complete-arch scans (CAS) performed by first-time users, with a distinction made between specific training (repeated practice of CAS) and nonspecific training (simple use of an intraoral scanner for a sextant scan in the context of a student CAD/CAM course).
Methods: Thirty-six students with no experience in intraoral scanning were randomized into three groups (n = 12 per group) according to the number of specific CAS training sessions: three sessions (3S), two sessions (2S), and one session (1S). Each student performed 10 CAS per scanning session. These sessions were scheduled at baseline (T0), T1 (2 weeks after T0), and T2 (4 weeks after T0) for group 3S; at T0 and T2 for group 2S; and at T2 for group 1S. Before the final scanning session in each group (ie, the first scanning session in group 1S), the students participated in a CAD/CAM course (3 weeks after T0) in which a monolithic crown was fabricated in a fully digital chairside workflow. The scanning time was measured as the time between the activation and termination of the scanning mode of the intraoral device. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25 (IBM). The level of significance was set to α = .05.
Results: A continual decrease in scanning time was observed for all groups as experience in intraoral scanning increased. The mean scanning times were as follows: for group 3S, 305 seconds at T0, 246 seconds at T1, and 233 seconds at T2; for group 2S, 380 seconds at T0 and 303 seconds at T2; and for group 1S, 355 seconds at T2. When compared to group 1S after it had received nonspecific training only, the effect of a single specific training session in groups 3S and 2S was not significant (P = .4428). However, two specific training sessions had a significant effect on scanning time compared to nonspecific training only (P = .0005).
Conclusion: Training does affect the scanning time required for CAS. To perform such scans in a time-efficient manner, dental practitioners should undertake training that comprises at least 12 CAS.