Feasibility and Accuracy of Digitizing Edentulous Maxillectomy Defects: A Comparative Study

Mahmoud E. Elbashti, BDS, MSc, PhD/Mariko Hattori, DDS, PhD/Sebastian B.M. Patzelt, DMD, MSc, Dr Med Dent Habil, PhD/Dirk Schulze, DMD, MD, PhD/Yuka I. Sumita, DDS, PhD/Hisashi Taniguchi, DDS, PhD: Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of using an intraoral scanner to digitize edentulous maxillectomy defects. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 maxillectomy models with two defect types were digitized using cone beam computed tomography. Conventional and digital impressions were made using silicone impression material and a laboratory optical scanner as well as a chairside intraoral scanner. The 3D datasets were analyzed using 3D evaluation software. Results: Two-way analysis of variance revealed no interaction between defect types and impression methods, and the accuracy of the impression methods was significantly different (P = .0374). Conclusion: Digitizing edentulous maxillectomy defect models using a chairside intraoral scanner appears to be feasible and accurate.