Impact of repeated usage of two different scan bodies on the accuracy of implant position transfer: An in vitro study.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the effect of repeated sterilization cycles on linear, angular, and diameter changes, and overall implant position transfer accuracy of titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) scan bodies.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

An in vitro study.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

An in vitro study was conducted using two maxillary acrylic models with implant analogues. Titanium and PEEK scan bodies were scanned using an intraoral scanner, with the initial scan serving as the reference. Each scan body underwent 14 steam autoclave cycles (134°C for 10 min followed by 15 min drying). Scans were exported as STL files and superimposed onto the reference dataset. Linear, angular, diameter, and root mean square (RMS) deviations were measured.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Both materials showed deviations after repeated sterilization; however, titanium scan bodies exhibited significantly lower linear, angular, and RMS deviations. PEEK demonstrated greater variability and dimensional changes.

CONCLUSION

Repeated sterilization affects scan body accuracy in a material-dependent manner. Titanium scan bodies showed superior dimensional stability and more consistent implant position transfer than PEEK.