Effect of wireless network parameters on implant position reproducibility of wireless intraoral scanners: An in vitro study

Abstract Purpose The impact of wireless communication on intraoral scanning accuracy remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the implant position reproducibility of wireless and wired intraoral scanners and assess the effects of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication distance and upload speed on wireless intraoral scanners. Methods An edentulous model with six implants was used as the master model and scanned using a high-accuracy scanner. Optical impressions were obtained using wireless intraoral scanners (Primescan2, SIRIOS, Trios 5) and a wired scanner (Primescan). For wireless scanners, the distance to the Wi-Fi router was set at 0.5 m, 2.0 m, and 5.0 m, with scans performed at each distance. Primescan was scanned as a control. The master and intraoral scan data were superimposed using analysis software and evaluated through three-dimensional analysis. Implant position reproducibility was expressed as the concordance rate, defined as the percentage of surface area within a 50 µm deviation from the master data. The correlation between upload speed and reproducibility was also analyzed. Results Primescan2 maintained high concordances rates (> 78%) across all distances and demonstrated superior reproducibility compared to that of other scanners. SIRIOS and Trios 5 exhibited reduced concordance with increasing distance. A positive correlation was found between the upload speed and concordance rate for SIRIOS (R² = 0.72) and Trios 5 (R² = 0.57). Conclusions Primescan2 was least affected by the communication distance or upload speed and demonstrated higher reproducibility than Primescan. However, SIRIOS and Trios 5 demonstrated reduced reproducibility with increasing Wi-Fi distance.