Accuracy of different digital data acquisition work flows for full arch maxillary implant prostheses (an invitro study)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different digital data acquisition workflows for the construction of full arch maxillary implant prostheses.Material and methods: Five implants were equally distributed in an educational maxillary edentulous resin model.Then, five scan bodies were attached to the implants and scanned by a 3D industrial scanner for reference STL file.This research investigated four different methods for data acquisition.It included 4 groups, Pentamix: conventional impressions were taken by vinylpolysiloxanesilicone VPS (Pentamix) and poured into a cast, Identium: impressions were taken by vinylsiloxanether (VSE Identium) and poured into cast, TRIOS 4: Trios 4 intraoral scanner was used to scan the model after attaching the scan bodies and Primescan: Primescan intraoral scanner was used to scan the model as same steps as TRIOS 4. Each group was further divided into splinted and non-splinted.Forty eight scans (12 scans for each group) of the casts which were obtained by the conventional impression were done using the industrial scanner.Forty eight scans (12 scans for each group) were directly obtained from scanning of the educational model.Accuracy were measured and compared to the reference STL file using color mapping geomagic control x software.Results: Statistically significant difference between the acquisition technique and between splinting and non-splinting technique was reported with (p<0.001).However, the differences between both Pentamix and Identium was (p=0.635) and both digital intra oral scanning ISO techniques was (p=0.989) which were statistically insignificant with P. Value of 0.000. Conclusion:Splinting of scan bodies during intraoral scanning is critical for accuracy in full arch implant supported prosthesis to limit the stitching errors that occur and help elevate the inaccuracy related to conventional impression techniques.With the development of new technologies it is possible to obtain accurate results using intraoral scanners that can replace the traditional methods with competent accuracy.