Precision of different scan-bodies used for direct digital impression in fabrication of implant supported fixed prosthesis: A methodological clinical study

Information with regards to effects of implant scanbody and its CAD library used in digital workflow in fabrication of implant supported restoration is not clinically evidence based. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinically the precision of different scanbodies used for direct digitalization of implant supported restorations, and the 3D implant position recordings as well. Twenty-five patients receiving two implant supported restorations in treatment of short-span partial edentulism were enrolled into the study. Three different scanbodies, original, non-original and generic, were employed for direct digitalization using a confocal microscopy scanning intraoral scanner with image stitching algorithm. Full contour restorations were CAD/CAM fabricated from each digital record, and were evaluated in terms of implant fit, axial- and occlusal-contact. Additionally, patients' impressions for digitalization and delivery procedures were recorded using a visual analog scale. Scanbody scan recordings were subjected to reverse engineering for analytical evaluation of 3D virtual implant positioning. All restorations presented passive fit in connection to supporting implants, differences in relation with regards to contact both in occlusion to antagonist and axial to neighbor tooth were statistically insignificant. (p>0.05) Patients defined intraoral scanner use as low in anxiety, ease in practice, restoration adjustment short in time and high in comfort as well. Reverse engineering analytics of implant angulations between the implants medial and lateral to midline did not significantly differed statistically. (p>0.05) Differences in scan post properties did not have an effect on direct digitalization of implants towards to clinical accuracy of short fixed partial dentures, and 3D implant position recording as well. Keywords: digital dentistry, intraoral scanner, implant scanbody