In-vitro accuracy of casts for orthodontic purposes obtained by a conventional and by a printer workflow

Abstract

This in-vitro study was designed to investigate whether conventionally produced casts and printed casts for orthodontic purposes show comparable full-arch accuracy. To produce casts, either a conventional impression or a digital data set is needed. A fully dentate all ceramic master cast was digitized with an industrial scanner to obtain a digital reference cast [REF]. Intraoral scans [IOS] and alginate impressions were taken from the master cast so that ten printed and ten gypsum casts were obtained. The printed casts [DLP] were digitized by an industrial scanner and as well as the gypsum casts [GYPSUM]. The following absolute mean trueness evaluations by superimposition were accomplished: [REF vs. GYPSUM]; [REF vs. DLP]; [REF vs. IOS]; [IOS vs. DLP]. For precision analysis the data sets of [GYPSUM], [IOS] and [DLP] were available. The absolute mean trueness values were 68 μm ± 15 μm for [REF vs. GYPSUM], 46 μm ± 4 μm for [REF vs. DLP], 20 μm ± 2 μm for [REF vs. IOS] and 41 μm ± 4 μm for [IOS vs. DLP]. [REF vs. GYPSUM] and [REF vs. DLP], [REF vs. IOS], [REF vs. DLP] and [IOS vs. DLP] showed statistically significant differences. The precision values were 56 μm ± 17 μm for [GYPSUM], 25 μm ± 9 μm for [DLP] and 12 μm ± 2 μm for [IOS] and differed significantly among each other. In the present study the print workflow revealed superior results in comparison to the conventional workflow. Due to contrary deviations in the [REF vs. IOS] and the [IOS vs. DLP] data sets the overall trueness deviations was enhanced.

A comparison study: The use of digital and conventional impression techniques in dental hygiene education

“…These innovations improve the accuracy of these methods and allow providers to gain efficiency. 5,25,26 Other studies have shown that increased use of these new technologies also improves chairside education and patient comfort. 1,21,27 Teaching these technologies in dental hygiene program settings ensures that students receive quality education and training before entering clinical practice.…”