Digitization of Dentate and Edentulous Maxillectomy and Mandibulectomy Defects with Three Different Intraoral Scanners: A Comparative In Vitro Study

<b>Objectives</b>: The objective of this study was to compare the trueness and precision of three intraoral scanners (IOSs) for the digitization of dentate and edentulous maxillectomy and mandibulectomy defects in artificial models. <b>Methods:</b> Four representative defect models-a dentate and an edentulous maxillectomy model and a dentate and an edentulous mandibulectomy model-were used for digital scanning. After a reference scan of each model, they were scanned with three IOSs: CEREC AC Omnicam, True Definition, and cara TRIOS 3. For comparison, five conventional impressions with a polysiloxane material were taken and digitized with a laboratory scanner. The obtained data were evaluated with three-dimensional (3D) inspection software and superimposed with the reference scan data by using a best-fit algorithm. The mean absolute 3D deviations of the IOS compared to the reference data (trueness) and when comparing the datasets within the IOS (precision) were analyzed. Linear mixed models and multiple pairwise comparisons were used for statistical analyses. <b>Results:</b> The overall comparison of the four evaluated procedures for data acquisition showed a significant difference in trueness (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and precision (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). The average mean trueness of the IOSs ranged from 32.17 to 204.43 µm, compared to 32.07 to 64.85 µm for conventional impressions. Here, the conventional impression and cara TRIOS 3 performed the most precisely with no significant difference. CEREC AC Omnicam achieved the worst precision. <b>Conclusions:</b> Using a suitable intraoral scanner, defective jaws even without teeth could be captured in satisfying accuracy. This shows the possibility to use an intraoral scanner for maxillofacial defect patients and gives a vision of using digital technology in maxillofacial prosthetics.