Intraoral Digital Impression Technique Compared to Conventional Impression Technique. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: To compare digital and conventional impression techniques in a randomized clinical trial; specifically, procedure times, patient-centered outcomes, and clinical evaluation of the restorations. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients in need of tooth-supported single crowns and/or fixed partial prostheses up to six units were randomly allocated to one of the impression techniques. The procedure times, dentists' and patients' assessments using a visual analog scale (VAS), and clinical evaluation of the restorations were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean total procedure times for digital and conventional impression technique were 14: 33 +/- 5: 27 and 20: 42 +/- 5: 42, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean impression times were 7: 33 +/- 3.37 and 11: 33 +/- 1.56, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean VAS scores for the dentist's assessment of difficulty (0 to 100; very difficult = 100) were 24.00 +/- 18.02 and 48.02 +/- 21.21, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean VAS scores for the patients' assessment of discomfort (0 to 100; very discomforting = 100) was 6.50 +/- 5.87 and 44.86 +/- 27.13, respectively (p < 0.0001). Occlusal contacts showed a better result for the digital technique. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the digital technique was more efficient and convenient than the conventional impression technique.