Trueness and Precision of Three Different Scanners for Digitizing a Completely Edentulous Gypsum Model

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the precision and trueness of three different scanners to scan a maxillary edentulous model using three-dimensional evaluation software. Materials and Methods: A coordinate measuring machine was used as the reference scanner. Cone beam computed tomography, computed tomography (CT), and an intraoral scanner were used to digitize an edentulous gypsum model. Data were collected and loaded into three-dimensional evaluation software. The scan outputs were superimposed, and the accuracy (trueness and precision) of the scanners were compared. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the accuracy values among all groups (trueness) and to determine differences within groups (precision). Statistical significance was assessed with an independent sample t-test (= 0.05) for each group. Results: The mean precision values ranged from 3.5 to –0.2 m. Analysis of the superimposed scans onto the reference scan for each group revealed no significant differences in trueness and precision (p > 0.05) among all groups. Further, binary comparisons of the datasets of each group revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in terms of precision values, except in the CT group wherein significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed for most models. Conclusions: No significant differences were observed in terms of accuracy (precision and trueness) among the three scanners. All scanners were effective in scanning the edentulous gypsum model.