Accuracy Analysis of Digital Models from Intraoral Scanners and 3D-Printed Casts in Children and Teenagers

Abstract

Purpose: The aim was to analyze the accuracy of digital models and 3D-printed casts from full-arch digital impressions using two intraoral scanners (iTeroTM and PrimescanTM). Materials and methods: A crossover reliability study was designed, scanning children and teenagers with iTeroTM and PrimescanTM. Accuracy was evaluated by measuring intercanine, intermolar, and ipsilateral canine–molar distances intraorally and comparing these measurements with those from plaster casts, digital models obtained with intraoral scanners, and 3D-printed casts. A paired comparison and a general linear model with a one-way repeated measures ANOVA procedure were carried out with a confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: A total of 51 subjects were analyzed (mean age 12.35 ± 2.57). Statistical differences (p < 0.05) were found in the upper and lower arch regarding accuracy in comparison to intraoral measurements, except for the iTeroTM-printed cast and canine–molar upper right and intercanine lower distances (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Regarding a comparison between reproduction methods, the plaster cast oversized the intercanine upper distance in comparison with both intraoral scanners’ digital models and the PrimescanTM-printed cast (p = 0.001), but there were no differences in the lower arch (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Intraoral scanners reproduce tooth structures with similar accuracy to conventional methods.