Abstract
BackgroundThe spread of digital technology in dentistry poses new challenges and sets new goals for dentists. The aim of the present in vivo study was to determine the learning curve of intraoral scanning described by (1) scanning time and (2) image number (count of images created by intraoral scanner during the scanning process).MethodsTen dental students of Semmelweis University took part in the study. Dental students took digital study impressions using a 3Shape Trios 3® (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) intraoral scanning device. Each student took 10 digital impressions on volunteers. Volunteer inclusion criteria included full dentition (except for missing third molars) and no prosthetic/restorative treatment. Digital impression taking was preceded by tuition consisting of both theoretical education and practical training. Digital impressions were taken of the upper and lower arches, and the bite was recorded according to the manufacturer's instructions. Total scanning times and image numbers were recorded.ResultsThe difference in scanning time between the first and the tenth digital impressions was significant (p = 0.007). The average scanning time for the first impressions was 23 min 9 s; for the tenth impressions, it was 15 min 28 s. The difference between the scanning times of the first and the tenth procedures was 7 min 41 s. The average image count for the first impressions was 1964.5; for the tenth impressions, it was 1468.6. The image count difference between the first and the tenth procedures was 495.9. The image count versus sequential number of measurement curve shows an initial decreasing tendency followed by a trough around the sixth measurement and a final increasing phase.ConclusionOur results indicate an association between the sequential number of measurements and the outcome variables. The drop in scanning time is probably explained by a practice effect of repeated use, i.e. the students learned to move the scanning tip faster. The image count first showed a decreasing tendency, and after the sixth measurement, it increased; there was no consistent decline in mean scan count. Shorter scanning times are associated with poorer coverage quality, with the operator needing to make corrections by adding extra images; this manifests as the time function of image counts taking an increase after the sixth measurement.
Highlights
The spread of digital technology in dentistry poses new challenges and sets new goals for dentists
Intraoral scanning has some limitations: some studies state that conventional impressions are a better solution for challenging prosthodontics [13,14,15], difficult bite registration, scanning fees in closed systems, and costs [2]
The null hypothesis was rejected since repeated use of intraoral scanner was associated with decreasing scanning times and image numbers
Summary
The spread of digital technology in dentistry poses new challenges and sets new goals for dentists. Intraoral scanning has some limitations: some studies state that conventional impressions are a better solution for challenging prosthodontics (e.g. accuracy of long-span restorations on multiple implants) [13,14,15], difficult bite registration (many systems do not support the registration of dynamic occlusion), scanning fees in closed systems (the user has to pay for performing the scanning data), and costs (intraoral scanning systems are still expensive) [2] These new methods have a learning curve: dentists are required to put in practice hours before they can use these devices effectively [16]. A Trios 3® (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) intraoral scanner was used, which employs a visible light beam for imaging and operates on the basis of real-time image capturing technology (ultrafast optical sectioning technique). Try to create as few images as possible to obtain the full digital impression without any missed areas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
