Effect of a modified scanning technique on the accuracy of complete-arch implant scanning: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND: This in vitro study aimed to investigate the accuracy of a modified scanning technique that incorporated a simple scan aid (SSA) and a novel scanning pattern (segmented scanning pattern, SSP) for complete-arch implant scan. METHODS: An edentulous maxillary stone cast with 4 parallel analogs was used as the master model. 10 scans were performed with an intraoral scanner (Trios3) using different scanning methods: a conventional scanning pattern (CSP) without SSA (Group I), CSP with SSA (Group II), SSP with SSA (Group III) and conventional splinted open-tray impression (Group IV). The reference scan was obtained by digitizing the master model using a dental laboratory scanner. The related files were imported into inspection software for trueness and precision assessment. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, SNK-q and Bonferroni test were used to evaluate the values. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. RESULTS: For the overall accuracy assessment (trueness and precision), group I exhibited the largest linear and angular deviation (p