Accuracy and practicality of intraoral scanner in dentistry: A literature review

PURPOSE: The digitization of the dental field has been vigorously promoted in recent years. An impression using an intraoral scanner is considered to significantly change future dental treatment. The purpose of this review is to evaluate accuracy and practicality of various intraoral scanners and verification method of intraoral scanners. STUDY SELECTION: This review was based on articles searched through the MEDLINE and PubMed databases. The main keywords that were employed during the search were "Oral Scanner, Intraoral Scanners, Desktop Scanner, and Digital Impression". RESULT: It was reported that illuminance and color temperature affected trueness and precision of intraoral scanners. The repeatability of intraoral scanners indicated the possibility of producing fixed prostheses within the range of being partially edentulous. It is considered difficult to use intraoral scanners in fabricating cross-arch fixed prostheses. However, with intraoral scanners, it may be considered possible to fabricate mouth guards and dentures equivalent to those of desktop scanners. Current intraoral scanner scans are considered more comfortable than traditional impressions that use irreversible hydrocolloid and elastomeric impression materials. CONCLUSION: Since the intraoral scanner is an evolving device, further improvement in accuracy is expected in the future. In addition, verification of the accuracy of intraoral scanners must be conducted accordingly.