Farklı yaş gruplarında hastaların ölçü tekniği tercihlerinin değerlendirilmesi

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare chairside time, perception and preference of patients receiving conventional and digital impressions in different age groups. Within the scope of this study, 63 patients who applied for orthodontic treatment and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study groups. The patients were grouped according to the age (Group 1: 8–12 years old, Group 2: 13–17 years old, Group 3: 18 years old and above). Each group consisted of 21 patients. Each patient's anxiety level was evaluated by state anxiety measurement test (STAI) prior to the intervention. After an anxiety test, patients' dental records were taken with alginate impression (Kromopan® Lascod, Florence, Italy) and intraoral scanning (iTero Element 2, Align Technologies, San Jose, Calif.) and the chairside time was recorded. Each patient filled out a perception and preference questionnaire. Statistical analysis were performed. The duration of digital impression was shorter than that of the conventional impression in all groups (p<0.001). The chairside time of digital impression method in the 8–12 age group was statistically shorter than that of the 13–17 age group and ≥18 age group (p<0.001). Chairside time of digital impression method in the 13–17 age group was statistically shorter than that of the ≥ 18 age group (p<0.05). For the conventional impression method, there was no statistically significant differences in perceptions of the patients in different age groups (p>0.05). For the digital method, the overall VAS scores of perception of the 13-17 age group was statistically lower compared to other groups (p<0.05). In each age group, digital impression method was mostly preferred over conventional impression method although there was no statistically significant difference among age groups in terms of impression method preferences (p>0.05). As a conclusion, intraoral scanning took less time in children aged 8–12 compared to older patients. All age groups perceived digital scanning more positively compared to the conventional method. The patient's perception of digital impressions differed between different age groups. 13–17-year-old patients had a more positive overall perception of the digital method. The majority of patients preferred digital impressions; however, the age of the patients did not play a role in their preference. Keywords: Conventional impression method, Digital impression method, Age groups