Intraoral scanner creating digital model of teeth

Are Digital Scans as Accurate as Traditional Dental Impressions? Find Out!

Q: What are the key advantages of using intraoral scanners in modern dental practices, and how do they improve patient care?

Intraoral scanners offer several key advantages in modern dental practices. They create highly accurate digital models, which streamline the process of creating dental appliances such as retainers, expanders, and clear aligners. This shift minimizes the need for traditional impressions and laboratory work, leading to more efficient workflows. By reducing patient discomfort associated with traditional impression methods and potentially reducing time and costs, intraoral scanners significantly improve the overall patient experience.

Q: How did the study compare the accuracy of digital dental models from the Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression system with traditional methods?

The study compared the accuracy of digital dental models from two intraoral scanners, the Cadent iTero and the Lythos Digital Impression system, with manual measurements using digital calipers. Researchers digitized dry mandibles with intact dentition using both scanners, converting the models into stereolithography files for curvilinear measurements. These measurements were then compared to direct manual measurements taken on the mandibular teeth. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and Bland-Altman plots, were used to assess the accuracy of each method.

Q: What were the specific methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the digital dental models in the study, and what did the statistical analysis reveal?

The study employed several methods to evaluate the accuracy of digital dental models. Mandibles were scanned using the Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression systems. Manual measurements were taken using digital calipers. Curvilinear measurements were performed along the dental arch. Statistical analyses, including one-sample t-tests and linear regression analyses, were used to compare the data. Bland-Altman plots were created to graphically assess accuracy. The statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between the paired methods but that Bland-Altman analysis revealed random errors in all comparisons. The lowest mean bias was observed when comparing the two intraoral scanners directly, indicating a high level of agreement between them.

Q: What are the practical implications of the study's findings for dental professionals considering the transition to intraoral scanners?

The study's findings suggest that intraoral scanners, such as Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression systems, can produce digital dental models with comparable accuracy to traditional manual measurements. This implies that dental professionals can confidently integrate these scanners into their practices for various procedures. The use of intraoral scanners can lead to more efficient workflows, reduced patient discomfort, and the potential for time and cost savings. However, practitioners should be aware of the random errors identified in the study, even if not significant, so understanding the limitations of the technology is crucial.

Q: Beyond accuracy, what other factors make intraoral scanners a beneficial addition to a dental practice, and how do they affect the patient experience?

Besides the accuracy of the digital models, intraoral scanners offer several other benefits. They streamline the process of creating dental appliances, such as retainers, expanders, and clear aligners, by removing the need for physical impressions. This reduces patient discomfort, a significant improvement over traditional impression methods. Digital models allow dentists to visualize the patient's mouth in detail, facilitating better communication and treatment planning. The efficiency of the process leads to reduced chair time and potentially lower costs, contributing to an enhanced patient experience. Digital workflows also offer the advantage of easily storing and sharing patient data, making it more convenient for both the dentist and the patient.

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study compares the accuracy of digital models created by intraoral scanners to manual measurements, revealing surprising insights for dental professionals."

In today's rapidly evolving dental landscape, digital technology is transforming how we approach patient care. From retainers and expanders to clear aligners, many appliances are now crafted directly from digital dental models, streamlining the process and potentially reducing both time and costs. By integrating digital models into clinical practice, dentists can minimize the need for traditional impressions and laboratory work, leading to more efficient workflows.

One of the most promising advancements is the use of intraoral scanners, which create highly accurate digital models. These scanners offer the potential to replace traditional impression methods, improving accuracy and reducing patient discomfort. But are these digital models truly as reliable as those created from alginate impressions? While many practitioners have embraced digital cameras and radiography, the transition to intraoral scanners has been slower, prompting questions about their accuracy and practicality.

A recent study investigated the accuracy of digital dental models generated by two popular intraoral scanners, comparing them to manual measurements. The goal was to determine if these scanners could accurately capture three-dimensional surface measurements along a curved line, a critical factor in various orthodontic and restorative procedures.

The Study: Comparing Digital and Manual Measurements

Intraoral scanner creating digital model of teeth

The study, published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, aimed to evaluate and compare digital dental models generated from two commercial intraoral scanners with traditional manual measurements. Researchers used dry mandibles (n = 61) with intact dentition, digitizing them with two chair-side intraoral scanners: the Cadent iTero (Align Technology, San Jose, Calif) and the Lythos Digital Impression system (Ormco, Orange, Calif).

Once digitized, the three-dimensional models were converted into stereolithography files and analyzed using specialized software to obtain curvilinear measurements. These measurements were then compared to manual measurements taken directly on the mandibular teeth using digital calipers. Various locations on the dental arch were measured in different directions to ensure a comprehensive comparison.

Here's a breakdown of the key methods used:

Digital Scans: Mandibles were scanned using Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression systems.
Manual Measurements: Direct measurements were taken on the mandibles using digital calipers.
Curvilinear Measurements: Measurements were performed along curved lines on the dental arch.
Statistical Analysis: One-sample t-tests and linear regression analyses were used to compare the data. Bland-Altman plots were created to graphically assess accuracy.

The study focused on curvilinear measurements to replicate real-world clinical scenarios, measuring along the long axis of teeth and crestal bone surfaces. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and Bland-Altman plots, were used to compare the accuracy of the digital and manual methods. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

The Verdict: Are Digital Scans Ready for Prime Time?

The study's findings suggest that intraoral scanners can produce digital dental models that are comparatively accurate when performing direct surface measurements along a curved line in three dimensions. While there were no significant differences between the paired methods, Bland-Altman analysis revealed random errors in all comparisons. The lowest mean bias was observed when comparing the two intraoral scanners directly, indicating a high level of agreement between them.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key advantages of using intraoral scanners in modern dental practices, and how do they improve patient care?

Intraoral scanners offer several key advantages in modern dental practices. They create highly accurate digital models, which streamline the process of creating dental appliances such as retainers, expanders, and clear aligners. This shift minimizes the need for traditional impressions and laboratory work, leading to more efficient workflows. By reducing patient discomfort associated with traditional impression methods and potentially reducing time and costs, intraoral scanners significantly improve the overall patient experience.

How did the study compare the accuracy of digital dental models from the Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression system with traditional methods?

The study compared the accuracy of digital dental models from two intraoral scanners, the Cadent iTero and the Lythos Digital Impression system, with manual measurements using digital calipers. Researchers digitized dry mandibles with intact dentition using both scanners, converting the models into stereolithography files for curvilinear measurements. These measurements were then compared to direct manual measurements taken on the mandibular teeth. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and Bland-Altman plots, were used to assess the accuracy of each method.

What were the specific methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the digital dental models in the study, and what did the statistical analysis reveal?

The study employed several methods to evaluate the accuracy of digital dental models. Mandibles were scanned using the Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression systems. Manual measurements were taken using digital calipers. Curvilinear measurements were performed along the dental arch. Statistical analyses, including one-sample t-tests and linear regression analyses, were used to compare the data. Bland-Altman plots were created to graphically assess accuracy. The statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between the paired methods but that Bland-Altman analysis revealed random errors in all comparisons. The lowest mean bias was observed when comparing the two intraoral scanners directly, indicating a high level of agreement between them.

What are the practical implications of the study's findings for dental professionals considering the transition to intraoral scanners?

The study's findings suggest that intraoral scanners, such as Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression systems, can produce digital dental models with comparable accuracy to traditional manual measurements. This implies that dental professionals can confidently integrate these scanners into their practices for various procedures. The use of intraoral scanners can lead to more efficient workflows, reduced patient discomfort, and the potential for time and cost savings. However, practitioners should be aware of the random errors identified in the study, even if not significant, so understanding the limitations of the technology is crucial.

Beyond accuracy, what other factors make intraoral scanners a beneficial addition to a dental practice, and how do they affect the patient experience?

Besides the accuracy of the digital models, intraoral scanners offer several other benefits. They streamline the process of creating dental appliances, such as retainers, expanders, and clear aligners, by removing the need for physical impressions. This reduces patient discomfort, a significant improvement over traditional impression methods. Digital models allow dentists to visualize the patient's mouth in detail, facilitating better communication and treatment planning. The efficiency of the process leads to reduced chair time and potentially lower costs, contributing to an enhanced patient experience. Digital workflows also offer the advantage of easily storing and sharing patient data, making it more convenient for both the dentist and the patient.