Influence of type of restorative materials and surface wetness conditions on intraoral scanning accuracy

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the influence of different restorative materials and surface wetness on intraoral scanning accuracy.

Methods: Reference casts with an extracted second premolar and first and second molar were digitized (L2). Four groups were established according to the material of the first molar: natural tooth (control), zirconia (Z), lithium disilicate (LD), and nanoceramic resin crown (NC). Four subgroups were developed: dry, low-, mild-, and high-wetness subgroups (n = 15). All the scans were completed by using an intraoral scanner (TRIOS 3). In the control-dry subgroup, the reference cast was dry. In the control-low subgroup, artificial saliva was sprayed with a 1 mL/min volumetric flow for 4 s. In the control-mild and control-high subgroups, the same procedures as in the control-low subgroup were performed, but with a volumetric flow of 4 and of 8 mL/min, respectively. In the Z, LD and NC groups, each crown was fabricated with its respective material. Trueness was analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. The Levene and Bonferroni tests were used to assess precision (α = 0.05).

Results: Material (P < .001) and wetness (P < .001) significantly influenced trueness and precision. The mild and high subgroups revealed lower trueness and precision compared with the dry and low subgroups. The control, Z, and LD groups under dry and low wetness conditions showed better trueness compared with the NC group, but the materials tested had no significant precision discrepancies. Under mild wetness conditions, all the materials showed no significant trueness discrepancies. Under high wetness conditions, the LD group demonstrated the best trueness and precision.

Conclusions: The restorative materials and surface wetness tested influenced scanning trueness and precision of the IOS assessed.

Clinical significance: Dried surfaces are recommended to maximize the scanning accuracy values of the IOS tested. Overall, the presence of saliva and dental restorations can reduce the performance of the IOS tested.