Comparison of conventional and digital impression techniques in children up to 9 years: a multicentric crossover study on time, preference, and comfort in relation to gag reflex and dental fear.

Aim: Digital applications are transforming dental practice, from diagnosis to treatment planning. In this context, digital impression-taking is becoming an increasingly prevalent method. This study aimed to evaluate the comfort and efficiency of digital impression-taking compared to classic alginate impressions. Additionally, the study explored the correlation between comfort, dental fear, and the gag reflex.

Methods: Means and standard deviations were used to describe the data, and paired t-tests compared time and comfort between impression methods. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients analysed relationships between comfort, dental fear, and the gag reflex. A nonparametric Spearman model further examined the association between discomfort levels in both techniques.

Conclusion: Digital impressions in young paediatric patients are more time-efficient and preferred over classic alginate impressions. Both observed and self-reported comfort are greater with digital impressions, and patient discomfort is strongly correlated with dental fear.