Trueness and precision of an intraoral scanner on abutments with subgingival vertical margins: An in vitro study

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of an intraoral scanner (IOS - Medit i700) on tooth abutments with vertical preparations at 2 depths below the free gingival margin, and to determine if the IOS can reproduce the area beyond the finish surface of the tested preparation geometry. Methods Two abutments for a maxillary first molar were designed by means of CAD software, with vertical preparations set at 1 and 2 mm below the gingiva. These abutments were subsequently printed in resin and placed on a reference model. The reference files consisted of scans made using a metrological machine on these abutments. Ten scans were made with the tested IOS on each sample, resulting in two study groups. The scans from the experimental groups were labeled "V-1" for vertical preparation at 1 mm below the gingival margin and "V-2" for 2 mm below.The analysis of these scans was performed using Geomagic Control X (3D SYSTEMS) to assess their trueness and precision in µm. Descriptive statistics with a 95% confidence interval were employed, alongside independent sample tests, to ascertain any differences between the groups (α=.05). Results Statistically significant differences were not found both for trueness (p=.104) and precision (p=.409), between the tested geometries. The mean values for trueness were V-1=37.5[31.4-43.6]; V-2=32.6[30.6-34.6]. About the precision, the mean values were V-1=20.5[8.4-32.5]; V-2=18.4[8.2-28.5]. In both the study groups, it was possible to detect the surface beyond the finish area. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, vertical preparation design allows for registration of the tooth anatomy beyond the finish area with IOS. Moreover, the mean accuracy values were clinically acceptable at both 1 and 2 mm below the gingival margin.