title: Accuracy of complete-arch dental impressions: a new method of measuring trueness and precision.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new approach to both 3-dimensional (3D) trueness and precision is necessary to assess the accuracy of intraoral digital impressions and compare them to conventionally acquired impressions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate whether a new reference scanner is capable of measuring conventional and digital intraoral complete-arch impressions for 3D accuracy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A steel reference dentate model was fabricated and measured with a reference scanner (digital reference model). Conventional impressions were made from the reference model, poured with Type IV dental stone, scanned with the reference scanner, and exported as digital models. Additionally, digital impressions of the reference model were made and the digital models were exported. Precision was measured by superimposing the digital models within each group. Superimposing the digital models on the digital reference model assessed the trueness of each impression method. Statistical significance was assessed with an independent sample t test (α=.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reference scanner delivered high accuracy over the entire dental arch with a precision of 1.6 ±0.6 µm and a trueness of 5.3 ±1.1 µm. Conventional impressions showed significantly higher precision (12.5 ±2.5 µm) and trueness values (20.4 ±2.2 µm) with small deviations in the second molar region (P<.001). Digital impressions were significantly less accurate with a precision of 32.4 ±9.6 µm and a trueness of 58.6 ±15.8µm (P<.001). More systematic deviations of the digital models were visible across the entire dental arch.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new reference scanner is capable of measuring the precision and trueness of both digital and conventional complete-arch impressions. The digital impression is less accurate and shows a different pattern of deviation than the conventional impression.
authors: Division for Computerized Restorative Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland. andreas.ender@zzm.uzh.ch
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Ender
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Mehl
mesh_terms: D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003442:Crowns; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007284:Inlays; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003765:Models, Dental / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013232:Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; D013232:Steel; D002133:Calcium Sulfate