Darker Composite Shades Enhance Intraoral Scanner Accuracy for Endocrowns: Study

A new study published in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry revealed that composite resin shade significantly affects intraoral scanner accuracy in endocrown restorations. Darker shades improved digital impression precision, suggesting their use for cavity bases may enhance outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of material shade selection in digital dentistry workflows.

The significant loss of coronal tooth structure that occurs after root canal therapy is one of the many difficulties that arise. In order to improve preservation of the core and the additional coronal restoration, a post is sometimes advised. The production of custom-made posts has become easier and more versatile due to the advancement of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in dentistry, particularly with the new generation of intraoral scanners (IOSs) being validated as an efficient alternative to the traditional impression and the wide range of materials currently available.

Given the fierce competition among manufacturers, it is noteworthy that clinicians frequently prioritize the intra-oral scanner's (IOS) speed and usability in addition to a few other useful features like the option to forego using powder for scanning and the capacity to export files without incurring a release fee. Assessing the impact of composite resin shades (A1, A2, A3, and B1) on scan accuracy using the Trios 3 (3Shape, Denmark) intraoral scanner was the goal of the current investigation.

A removed human molar was placed into a mandibular dentate typodont to create an endocrown chamber. The Trios 3 intraoral scanner was used to scan the composite resin shades (A1, A2, A3, and B1) after they had been successively positioned in the pulp chamber and allowed to light-cure. The intraoral scanner collected test data, while a high-precision extraoral scanner (E1, 3Shape, Denmark) supplied reference data.

A spectrophotometer (Easyshade, VITA, Germany) was used to measure the composite resin shades in order to determine the L*, a*, and b* values. In order to determine the interquartile range (IQR) for accuracy and the root mean square (RMS) values for truth, scanning data were examined in Geomagic Design X.

Shade groups showed significant variations in RMS values (p < 0.001). B1 had the greatest value (0.0336 ± 0.003), while A3 had the lowest (0.0242 ± 0.002). All other comparisons were significant, however A1 and A2 did not reveal any differences. B1 has the greatest IQR value (0.0040), which suggests less accuracy.

Overall, the accuracy of the intraoral scanner was significantly impacted by the shade of the composite resin. For endocrown cavity bases, darker hues are advised in order to maximize digital imprints. To explore these findings in clinical practice, more research is needed.

Source:

Ozden, I., Ozden, Y. E., Ovecoglu, H. S., Kayahan, Z. O., & Blatz, M. B. (2025). Does cavity base shade of endocrowns play a role in the accuracy of intraoral scans? Et al [Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry]. https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.13507