Comparative evaluation of accuracy, time and patient acceptance between intraoral scanner and conventional alginate impression technique – An invivo study

Orthodontists use various dental records such as dental models or casts for diagnosis and treatment planning which includes making of dental impressions and study casts. Conventional alginate impressions are challenging for the patients with extreme gag reflex, irritation & discomfort. Recently 3D technology has led to development of scanning and digital models, but one major concern has been the accuracy. So this study was done to compare the accuracy, time and patient acceptance between intraoral scanner and conventional alginate impression technique. 15 patients were selected. Alginate impressions were made using zhermack neocolloid. The patients were subjected to digital scanning with Medit i500 intraoral scanner. Procedures were timed. After the impressions, each patient was asked to complete survey. Tooth width measurements were made using digital vernier caliper from stone models. In the second method digital images were measured using medit link software. Anterior and overall Bolton ratio was calculated to determine accuracy. Digital impressions are accurate and comparable to conventional impressions as tooth width measurements did not differ significantly. Conventional impression consumed more time. Patients preferred digital impressions.Intraoral scanners are accepted by patients and they have comparable accuracy and time efficient compared to conventional impression.