Clinical aspects of digital 3D intraoral scanning usage

With technological advances in dentistry, orthodontics has also witnessed a huge surge in 3D approaches to clinical practice management. Learning models are the basic and most important prerequisites for diagnosis and treatment planning in any orthodontic case, and in the last decade, they have become digital. This review comprehensively examines the current literature on the accuracy of reproducibility, scanning time, patient comfort and orthodontist experience of intraoral scanning (IOS) in orthodontics. IOS is time-saving, patient-friendly and easy to use, and an orthodontist can learn quickly. These methods are accurate enough for treatment planning and aligner fabrication in orthodontics. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the features of different IOS and published studies. Scanners of the latest generation have demonstrated very low error when taking full impressions. In terms of reproducibility, IOS has demonstrated excellent results and higher efficiency than traditional impression taking methods. Studies comparing the time required to take full-arch intraoral digital impressions and conventional impressions have been widely published. These results are inherently contradictory, with some research demonstrating that IOS is more efficient and reduces working time compared to traditional impression taking methods. However, other studies have shown that alginate impressions take less time than digital ones. Although the scanning time is longer than that of traditional impression methods, patients prefer digital scanning because of ease of use and comfort. Factors such as breathing, smell, taste, and gag reflex are monitored with digital impressions. The refusal of impression materials and trays significantly enhances patient comfort. Most orthodontists indicated that IOS is the preferred option in their practice.