Assessment of Dental Arch Reproduction Quality by Using Traditional and Digital Methods

Background: There exists few scientific reports on the quality of digitally reproduced dental arches, even though digital devices have been used in dentistry for many years. This study assesses the accuracy of the standard dental arch model reproduction using both traditional and digital methods. Methods: The quality of the full upper dental arch standard model reproduction by physical models obtained through traditional and digital methods was compared: gypsum models (SGM) and models printed from data obtained using an intraoral scanner (TPM) (n = 20). All models were scanned with a reference scanner. Comparisons were made using Geomagic Control X program by measuring deviations of the models relative to the standard model and analyzing linear dimensions deviations. Results: The average error of reproduction accuracy of the standard model ranged from 0.0424 +/- 0.0102 millimeters (mm) (SGM) to 0.1059 +/- 0.0041 mm (TPM). In digital methods, all analyzed linear dimensions were shortened to a statistically significantly degree compared to traditional. The SGM method provided the smallest deviations to a significant degree of linear dimensions from the pattern, and TPM the largest. The intercanine dimension was reproduced with the lowest accuracy, and the intermolar the highest in each method. Conclusions: Traditional methods provided the highest reproduction trueness of the full dental arch and all analyzed linear dimensions. The intercanine dimension was reproduced with the lowest accuracy, and the intermolar the highest in each method, where digital methods shortened all analyzed linear dimensions.