Accuracy of intraoral optical scan versus stereophotogrammetry for complete-arch digital implant impression: An in vitro study

 The Journal of Prosthodontic Research, the official journal of the Japan Prosthodontic Society, has published a new article supporting the repeatability of the PIC system’s measurements of dental implants. The study was carried out by Prof. Alessandro Pozzi and his collaborators. Their research evaluated the accuracy of a PIC system Legacy unit in comparison to an intraoral scanner after conducting 60 scans of a milled All-On-4 model.

The concept of accuracy in dentistry research commonly follows the ISO 5725-1 standard’s definition, where it is comprised of both trueness (how close a measurement is to the true result) and precision (the conformity of multiple repeated measurements).

The research team analyzed deviations in test scans (30 with an intraoral scanner and 30 with the PIC system Legacy) against a reference scan. PIC system Legacy showed significantly higher 3D and angular accuracies (both trueness and precision) compared to the intraoral scanner.

The study's in vitro setup does not account for external influences that can affect the results of intraoral scanning: operator experience, saliva, blood, tongue and movements, light, and temperature changes… Even in these ideal conditions, the intraoral scanner had extreme linear and angular deviations above the clinically acceptable misfit range. The PIC system is not dependent on these limitations by design, and it consistently outperformed the intraoral scanner throughout all the scans, proving its capability in the results.

In addition to this publication, Prof. Pozzi also lead an in vivo PIC system study earlier this year with similar findings (Pozzi et al., 2023). Both of the studies’ outcomes align with findings from prior in vivo and in vitro research, such as Tohme et al. study comparing stereophotogrammetry, digital, and conventional impression techniques in implant-supported fixed complete arch prostheses. The ongoing scientific research involving the PIC system continues to validate its capability of providing a guaranteed passive fit as the most precise system for full arch implant measurement.

This study focuses on the capabilities of the original PIC system Legacy first released in 2009. The introduction of a new PIC system generation in 2022 featured a new PIC camera with Micron Vision camera modules that increase its accuracy. We eagerly anticipate the scientific community’s work on its validation as an improved solution that provides even more precise and reliable implant procedures.

SOURCES

• Pozzi A., Agliardi E., Lio, Nagy K.,, Nardi A., & Arcuri L. (2023). Accuracy of intraoral optical scan versus stereophotogrammetry for complete-arch digital implant impression: An in vitro study. Journal of Prosthodontic Research. https://doi.org/10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_22_00251

• Pozzi, A., Carosi, P., Gallucci, G. O., Nagy, K., Nardi, A., & Arcuri, L. (2023). Accuracy of complete- arch digital implant impression with intraoral optical scanning and stereophotogrammetry: An in vivo prospective comparative study. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14141

• Tohme, H., Lawand, G., Chmielewska, M., & Makhzoume, J. (2021). Comparison between stereophotogrammetric, digital, and conventional impression techniques in implant-supported fixed complete arch prostheses: An in vitro study. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.05.006