ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This in-vitro study investigated limitations of intra-oral scanners (IOS) in capturing palatal defects at decreased mouth openings. The trueness and precision of composite 3D-printed models from Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and IOS were measured. METHODS: A partially dentate palatal defect model was scanned with IOS (3M™TrueDefinition) at various simulated mouth openings. Five silicone impressions were poured in gypsum. Scans were taken using 3M™TrueDefinition; Planmeca Planscan®, n=5 each. Model was scanned on two CBCT (PlanmecaProFace®; Accuitomo170®CBCT, n=5 each). Geomagic®Control2014™ was used to create composite-models merging CBCT with IOS. Thirty composite-models were 3D-printed. Trueness and precision were measured. Pearson Correlation Coefficients measured correlation between mouth opening and data capture. Data analysed using Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and ANOVA. Statistical significance inferred when p⟨0.05. RESULTS: Mouth openings ⟨20mm, IOS didn't capture information of soft tissue. Increased mouth opening positively correlated with increased data capture(r=0.93, p=0.001). AccuitomoCBCT and TrueDefinition IOS composite-models had the highest (trueness) and [precision](median (IQR) 0.172 mm(0.062-0.426)); [mean [SD] 0.080 mm [0.008]]. Casts had the lowest results (median (IQR) 0.289 mm(0.119-1.565));[mean [SD] 0.338 mm [0.089]](p⟨0.001). CONCLUSION: Mouth opening ⟨20mm resulted in insufficient data capture by IOS for clinical applications. Composite digital models showed promising trueness and precision results.