Intraoral scanning bests conventional impression in improving patient reported outcomes: Study

A group of researchers from the U.S.A conducted a study to evaluate whether intraoral scanning (IOS) is able to reduce working time and improve patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) compared to conventional impression (CI) techniques, taking into account the size of the scanned area.

The secondary aim was to verify the effectiveness of IOS procedures based on available prosthodontic outcomes.

Electronic and manual literature searches were performed to collect evidence concerning the outcomes of IOS and CI performed during the treatment of partial and completely edentulous patients for tooth- or implant-supported restorations. Qualitative analysis was conducted to evaluate the time efficiency and PROMs produced by the two different techniques. Clinical prosthodontic outcomes were analyzed among the included studies when available.

The results of the study are as follows:

Seventeen studies were selected for qualitative synthesis.

· The 17 included studies provided data from 430 IOS and 370 CI performed in 437 patients.

· A total of 7 different IOS systems and their various updated versions were used for digital impressions.

· The results demonstrated that IOS was overall faster than CI independent of whether quadrant or complete-arch scanning was utilized, regardless of the nature of the restoration (tooth or implant-supported).

· IOS was generally preferred over CI regardless of the size of the scanned area and nature of the restoration (tooth- or implant-supported).

· Similar prosthodontic outcomes were reported for workflows implementing CI and IOS.

Thus, the researchers concluded that Within the limitations of this systematic review, IOS is faster than CI, independent of whether a quadrant or complete arch scan is conducted. IOS can improve the patient experience measured by overall preference and comfort and is able to provide reliable prosthodontic outcomes.

Reference:

Intraoral scanning reduces procedure time and improves patient comfort in fixed prosthodontics and implant dentistry: a systematic review by Siqueira R et. al published in the Clinical Oral Investigations.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-04157-3