Deviations in palatal region between indirect and direct digital models: an in vivo study

Studies focusing on accuracy of intraoral digital models in the palatal region are scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of different scanning sequences on palatal trueness and to assess deviation and distribution character of trueness in palate.

Overall, 35 participants accepted three types of procedures to acquire upper digital models. Indirect models digitalised from plaster models were considered as the reference. Two direct digital models were acquired using TRIOS 3 POD intraoral scanners, namely Groups Tr1 and Tr2, wherein intraoral scanning differed in terms of palatal scanning sequences. Based on a modified dental-level superimposition method, 3D measurements of trueness in palate and palatal vault region (PVR) for palatal stable regional superimposition in Groups Tr1 and Tr2, respectively, were performed. Absolute deviations were measured for trueness, while signed deviations were analysed for shape distortion. Colour-coded maps were used for quantitative analysis of deviation distribution pattern. Paired t test was used to analyse differences in palatal trueness between different scanning sequences. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were used to compare trueness measurements among different superimposition methods. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify reproducibility of the proposed method.

Palatal trueness in Group Tr1 (118.59 ± 37.67 μm) was slightly less accurate than that (108.25 ± 33.83 μm) in Group Tr2 (p = 0.012 < 0.05). Trueness of PVR in Groups Tr1 (127.35 ± 54.11 μm) and Tr2 (118.17 ± 49.52 μm) did not differ significantly (p = 0.149). Moreover, no significant difference was noted in distortion of the palatal region and PVR in Groups Tr1 and Tr2 (p = 0.582 and 0.615, respectively). A similar pattern of palatal trueness was noted in a majority of participants (22/35). For 3D palatal trueness measurement, there were different applications for different superimposition methods. ICC for the proposed method was > 0.90.

Scanning sequences can affect palatal trueness. Palatal scanning should be initiated at the palatal side of the posterior teeth where the initial scan begins. For 3D PVR superimposition, distal boundary of the selected region should be adjusted mesially whilst referring to intraoral digital models.

The trial has been registered (registration No: R000039467, Trial ID: UMIN000034617, date of registration: 2018/10/24‘retrospectively registered’).