Does intraoral scanning influence the patient's view of dental restorations? A comparative study

To compare intraoral scanning (IOS) and indirect visual observation on the patients' view regarding their resin composite restorations. Patients scored their anterior and posterior resin composite restoration through indirect visual observation with a regular mirror followed by a mirror with magnification. After one week, the patients were scanned and scored the same restoration, visualizing it at the IOS touchscreen monitor. The “patient view” criterion of the Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) was used to score considering 1 (totally satisfied) to 5 (totally unsatisfied) of patient's opinion.When the score assigned was greater than 1, the reasons for dissatisfaction were registered through questionnaires with options according to FDI criteria adapted for patient analyses. Descriptive statistics were carried out to analyze the frequencies of scores. Kruskal-Wallis with multiple comparison tests were used to compare scores and reasons for dissatisfaction. Significant differences were found among IOS and mirrors (P ​< ​0.0001) and reasons for dissatisfaction (P ​< ​0.0001). Score 2 prevailed, followed by 3 and 1. Patients were more satisfied with their restoration when they were observed with a regular mirror. Regarding reasons for lower satisfaction, "inappropriate color” and "inappropriate contour” were prevalent. Patients can be more critical towards the esthetics of their resin composite restorations when viewing them through IOS images and magnifying mirrors. IOS can allow patients to have a direct, colored and possibly magnified view of their intraoral conditions; this can decrease their satisfaction with dental restorations. This is clinically relevant because intraoral scanners are being used in the diagnosis process and dentist-patient communication.