Futuristic intraoral scanner creating a holographic dental model.

Are Intraoral Scanners the Future of Dentistry? A Deep Dive into Accuracy

Reese Marlowe monogram
Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness October 2026 • 4 min read.

"Explore how digital models created with intraoral scanners stack up against traditional methods and what it means for patient care."


The world of dentistry is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in technology that promise greater precision, efficiency, and patient comfort. One of the most transformative innovations is the use of digital dental models, crafted directly from intraoral scanners. These scanners eliminate the need for traditional impressions, streamlining workflows and opening new possibilities for appliance fabrication and treatment planning.

Digital models offer several advantages, including reduced chair time, minimized patient discomfort, and the potential for more precise indirect bracket setups. By incorporating digital technology, dental practices can minimize the need for bracket repositioning, ultimately decreasing overall treatment time. The appeal is clear: a faster, more comfortable experience for patients and a more efficient practice for clinicians.

However, the universal adoption of intraoral scanners has been gradual. With various methods available to digitize dental models, dental professionals need to know how accurate these newer approaches are. This article explores the accuracy of 3D measurements taken from digital models created by intraoral scanners, comparing them to manual measurements. It provides a comprehensive look into whether these scanners are truly as accurate as traditional methods.

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Market Growth and Cost Barriers

The iDD survey identifies cost as the number one barrier for clinicians entering digital dentistry and intraoral scanning. Market projections differ by source: Straits Research projects growth from $784.49 million in 2026 to $1,368.19 million by 2034, while Allied Market Research reports a 2023 valuation of $969.4 million and projects $2,816.4 million by 2035. Interoperability between intraoral scanners and CAD/CAM systems is also identified as a critical need in digital dentistry.

From Impressions to Optical Scanning

The literature describes intraoral scanners as devices that capture direct optical impressions in dentistry. Historical accounts characterize their development as a progression from bulky machines in the 1980s to sleek, AI-powered scanners. This evolution reflects a broader shift from traditional dental impressions toward digital precision and an expanding range of optical scanners.

How Accurate Are Intraoral Scanners Compared to Traditional Methods?

Futuristic intraoral scanner creating a holographic dental model.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics sought to evaluate and compare digital dental models generated from two commercial intraoral scanners against manual measurements. The focus was on performing 3-dimensional surface measurements along curved lines—a critical aspect of dental morphology. The study used dry mandibles (n = 61) with intact dentition, digitized using the Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression System. These models were then converted into stereolithography files for measurement using specialized software. Manual measurements were taken directly on the mandibular teeth for comparison.

Measurements were conducted at various locations on the dental arch, capturing data in multiple directions. Statistical analyses, including one-sample t-tests, linear regression analyses, and Bland-Altman plots, were employed to assess the accuracy and agreement between the different methods. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05 to determine statistical relevance.

  • No Significant Differences: The study found no significant differences between any of the paired methods (P > 0.05), indicating a level of agreement between the intraoral scanners and manual measurements.
  • Random Errors Detected: Bland-Altman analysis revealed no fixed bias in any approach, but random errors were detected across all comparisons.
  • Low Mean Bias: The mean biases of digital models obtained by iTero and Lythos scanners were low when compared to direct caliper measurements. The comparison between the two intraoral scanners yielded the lowest mean bias.
  • No Proportional Bias: No comparison displayed statistical significance for t-scores, suggesting an absence of proportional bias.
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Recent Advances in Digital Impressions

Recent reviews describe intraoral scanners as a cornerstone or integral technology in digital dentistry. They acquire intraoral optical impressions and represent the captured data as detailed virtual models. Reported advances include hardware innovations, software breakthroughs, continuous image capture, and improved scanning efficiency and accuracy, while current limitations remain an important part of the research discussion.

Full-Arch Accuracy Limitations

The cited Crossref material reports that scanners based on triangulation are hardly appropriate for full-arch prostheses. This qualification indicates that scanner performance can depend on the scanning technology and the clinical task. It cautions against treating intraoral scanning as uniformly suitable for every prosthodontic application.

Comparing Accuracy, Cost, and Workflows

The comparison sources frame scanner selection around accuracy, software ecosystems, workflow structure, and total cost of ownership rather than a single headline specification. The systems discussed include iTero, TRIOS, and Primescan, alongside comparisons of open versus closed workflows. Feature sets, pricing, and intended use cases are presented as practical criteria for choosing among scanners.

The results indicated that intraoral scanners can produce digital dental models that are comparatively accurate when performing direct surface measurements along curved lines in three dimensions. This finding supports the growing confidence in using intraoral scanners for various dental applications, from creating retainers to planning complex orthodontic treatments.

The Future of Digital Dentistry

The study's conclusion highlights that intraoral scanners can produce digital dental models that are comparatively accurate for direct surface measurements along curved lines in 3D. As technology continues to advance, the integration of intraoral scanners into dental practices promises to enhance efficiency, precision, and patient experience. Although challenges remain, the evidence suggests that intraoral scanners are poised to play a pivotal role in the future of digital dentistry, providing clinicians with reliable and accurate tools for diagnosis, treatment planning, and appliance fabrication.

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Clinical Value and Diagnostic Potential

Reviews identify intraoral scanners as tools for capturing direct optical impressions and compare their advantages and disadvantages with conventional impressions. Their established role in creating three-dimensional digital dental models is expanding toward the diagnosis of oral diseases. The literature therefore presents intraoral scanning as both an impression technology and an increasingly broader clinical resource.

Expansion of Digital Scanning

Future Market Insights describes the intraoral scanner market as moving from advanced dental equipment toward a core digital dentistry tool. Its report says demand is likely to rise as clinics replace conventional impression methods with digital scan workflows. A separate dental publication reports that approximately 40% to 50% of dental offices currently use digital intraoral scanning and expects that share to grow.

Integration Across Digital Dentistry

The sources describe intraoral scanners as part of wider technological advancement and digital transformation in dentistry. They report advantages in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient comfort, as well as integration with CAD-CAM systems, imaging modalities, and digital workflows. This integration has particularly transformed clinical practice in prosthodontics and orthodontics.

Comfort and Expanding Clinical Roles

The sources report that intraoral scanners streamline workflows, enhance diagnostics, and improve patient comfort. Their primary applications include CAD-CAM fabrication and restorative dentistry, while their use is expanding into orthodontics, oral surgery, diagnostics, and remote care. They have traditionally been used to create three-dimensional digital dental models and are now attracting attention as tools for diagnosing oral diseases.

How scanner measurements vary by task

  • 12.9In full-arch dentition, reported scanner trueness ranged from 12.9 to 80.01 µm, while precision ranged from 42.9 to 86.0 µm.[1]
  • 189In an edentulous-arch comparison, the CS group’s total mean deviation was 189 µm without scan aid and 135 µm with it, while the TR group measured 165 µm with or without aid.[2]
  • 100A comparison of full-arch impressions reported mean deviations below 100 µm overall, while also describing accuracy limitations.[3]
  • 20For partial impressions compared with conventional impressions, reported mean trueness was between 20 and 48 µm and precision between 4 and 16 µm.[4]
  • 0.04In serial orthodontic tooth-movement evaluation, method errors ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 mm for linear displacement and from 0.48° to 0.99° for angulation.[5]
  • 60At crown preparation margins, the median gap was 60 µm for intraoral scanning and 78 µm for conventional impressions.[6]

How other measurement tasks compare

For complete-arch implant impressions, the reported error values differ substantially across scanner systems, while the scan-aid comparison also shows that outcomes can vary by group and setup.[2] [7]

Full-arch performance remains difficult to generalize: stitching many limited-area images can accumulate inaccuracies, and a lack of anatomical landmarks can make multiple-implant scanning challenging.[4] [8]

Scanner accuracy may also depend on intraoral fluids, scanning technique, operator experience, scan size, and the scanned substrate; no single device is established as the accuracy gold standard.[9] [10]

What remains unresolved about full-arch scanning

  • How do scanner results change under real intraoral conditions, where anatomy and jaw opening differ from a laboratory setup?[11]
  • Which scanning approach gives dependable multiple-implant impressions when landmarks are scarce, given the reported distance and angulation challenges?[4]
  • What standardized clinical comparisons would make it possible to identify the most useful scanner for multiple-implant impressions?[7]

Terms used to describe measurement accuracy

Accuracy
A description based on trueness and precision.[4]
Reference
The comparison standard used to assess a scan; the reference can differ between laboratory and intraoral comparisons.[4]

Sources

  1. In vivo full-arch accuracy of intraoral scanners: a narrative review. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  2. Enhancing intraoral scanner accuracy using scan aid for multiple implants in the edentulous arch: An in vivo study. (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  3. Update on the Accuracy of Conventional and Digital Full-Arch Impressions of Partially Edentulous and Fully Dentate Jaws in Young and Elderly Subjects: A Clinical Trial (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. Intraoral Scanner Technologies: A Review to Make a Successful Impression (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. Clinical application of an intraoral scanner for serial evaluation of orthodontic tooth movement: A preliminary study (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. Accuracy of crowns based on digital intraoral scanning compared to conventional impression-a split-mouth randomised clinical study. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  7. Assessment of intraoral scanning technology for multiple implant impressions – A systematic review and meta-analysis (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. Are Conventional Impressions Obsolete? A Narrative Review on the Applicability of Intraoral Scanners (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. Effect of scanning strategies on the accuracy of digital intraoral scanners: a meta-analysis of in vitro studies (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. Evaluation of the effect of different core substrates on the accuracy of intraoral scanners (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. A Comparison of Full Arch Trueness and Precision of Nine Intra-Oral Digital Scanners and Four Lab Digital Scanners (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly are intraoral scanners and why are they becoming so popular in dentistry?

Intraoral scanners are devices used in dentistry to create digital dental models. These scanners capture the surface contours of the teeth and gums, generating a 3D digital representation of the patient's mouth. This eliminates the need for traditional physical impressions, improving efficiency and patient comfort. This technology is significant because it streamlines workflows, reduces chair time, and opens new possibilities for treatment planning and appliance fabrication. The implications of using intraoral scanners include more precise indirect bracket setups, minimizing the need for bracket repositioning, and decreasing overall treatment time.

2

Why are digital dental models created by intraoral scanners considered to be such a significant advancement in dental practices?

Digital dental models are important because they offer several advantages over traditional methods. They reduce chair time, minimize patient discomfort, and can lead to more precise treatment outcomes. By minimizing the need for adjustments like bracket repositioning, digital models contribute to more efficient treatment. The significance of digital models lies in their ability to enhance the overall dental experience for both patients and clinicians, making dental practices more efficient and treatment more predictable. Another implication is the improved communication between dental professionals and laboratories due to the ease of sharing digital information.

3

How was the accuracy of intraoral scanners evaluated in comparison to traditional measurement methods?

The study compared digital dental models generated from two commercial intraoral scanners, the Cadent iTero and the Lythos Digital Impression System, against manual measurements. Dry mandibles with intact dentition were digitized using these scanners, and the resulting models were converted into stereolithography files. The accuracy of the intraoral scanners was assessed by performing 3-dimensional surface measurements along curved lines, which is a critical aspect of dental morphology. The significance lies in validating the accuracy of intraoral scanners for dental applications. The implications of this study's methods include establishing a benchmark for future research and providing dental professionals with confidence in using these scanners for diagnosis, treatment planning, and appliance fabrication.

4

What were the main findings of the study regarding the accuracy and reliability of intraoral scanners like Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression System?

The key findings were that there were no significant differences between the measurements taken by the intraoral scanners and the manual measurements. The study indicated a level of agreement between the intraoral scanners (Cadent iTero and Lythos Digital Impression System) and manual measurements. While random errors were detected across all comparisons, the mean biases of digital models obtained by the scanners were low when compared to direct caliper measurements. This is significant because it supports the reliability and accuracy of intraoral scanners in creating digital dental models. This accuracy has implications for various dental applications, from creating retainers to planning complex orthodontic treatments.

5

What does the future hold for digital dentistry with the increasing use of intraoral scanners?

The future of digital dentistry includes greater integration of intraoral scanners into dental practices, leading to enhanced efficiency, precision, and patient experience. As technology advances, intraoral scanners are poised to play a pivotal role in providing clinicians with reliable and accurate tools for diagnosis, treatment planning, and appliance fabrication. One implication is the potential for more personalized and precise treatment plans. Another consideration not discussed is the cost of equipment, training, and the learning curve associated with adopting new digital workflows. These factors will influence how quickly and widely intraoral scanners are adopted.

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