In Vitro Comparison Between Complete-Arch Implant-Supported Frameworks Using Intraoral Scanning and Photogrammetry.

PURPOSE: To compare the vertical microgap of complete-arch implant-supported frameworks (ISF) obtained from one intraoral scanner (IOS) and two different photogrammetry (PG) systems.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

An edentulous mandibular model with four implants served as reference. Multiunit abutments (MUAs; BioHorizons) were inserted and torqued to 30 Ncm. A digital reference cast (Control group) was obtained by scanning the model with a laboratory scanner (inEos X5, Dentsply Sirona). Three test groups were investigated: PS (Primescan, Dentsply Sirona), ICam (ICam4D, Imetric 4D Imaging Sàrl), and PIC (PIC System, PIC dental). All scans were exported as STL files, and virtual bars were designed and milled out of titanium (n = 2 per test group). The modified Sheffield test was used to quantitatively assess vertical microgaps. Differences between all groups were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test (α = .05). ANOVA was used to compare vertical microgaps at each respective implant position across groups (α = .05).

RESULTS

Mean vertical microgaps varied across acquisition devices, with the lowest values in the Control group (22.65 ± 7.279 μm), followed by ICam (24.10 ± 7.991 μm), PIC (30.52 ± 9.809 μm), and PS (33.21 ± 13.84 μm). Statistically significant differences were detected between Control and PS as well as between PS and ICam. No statistically significant difference occurred between the two PG groups. Vertical microgaps were the highest at the mandibular right first premolar position, predominantly observed in groups PS and PIC.

CONCLUSIONS

Frameworks fabricated from digital impressions of PG groups showed lower vertical microgaps than those fabricated using the IOS.