The Accuracy of Digital Implant Impressions when Using and Varying the Material and Diameter of the Dental Implant Scan Bodies

The effects of using and varying the material and diameter of implant scan bodies (ISBs) on the level of accuracy of digital implant impressions is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these effects on the level of accuracy of scans made by an extraoral scanner (EOS) and intraoral scanner (IOS). A stone cast with two sets of ISBs was used. ISBs were made of titanium (TI) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Each set consisted of two narrow diameter (ND) and two regular diameter (RD) ISBs. Sixty-six scans were performed and imported into an inspection and metrology software to conduct the three-dimensional (3D) comparisons (N=140) and obtain root mean square (RMS) values. RMS values were analyzed with descriptive and inferential non-paramet-ric statistics (α=.05). The use of ISBs did not improve the overall EOS and IOS scans accuracies. Also, varying the ISBs’ diameter and material influenced the EOS and IOS accuracies. For the EOS, the precision in descending order was as follows RD TI, ND TI, RD PEEK, ND PEEK. In contrast, for the IOS an inverse relationship was noted. Finally, precision assessment should always be performed for any reference scanner under the proposed test conditions.