Comparison of Digital Intraoral Scanning and Conventional Techniques for Post Space Capture

Objective: Several studies have compared the accuracy of digital scans and conventional impressions for post space capture. However, only a few have specifically investigated the precision of intraoral scanners in measuring post spaces of varied lengths. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of various intraoral scanning techniques in capturing long and short post spaces. Material and Methods: This study grouped samples into eight categories based on four techniques and two post space depths (7 and 11 mm). After tooth preparation, root canal treatment, and post space preparation, laboratory scans were performed using Duralay. Intraoral scans were obtained directly and indirectly with the Trios fourth generation scanner using the Duralay and PVS techniques. The accuracies, in terms of trueness, and precisions were compared after ten repetitions for each group using the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: The Duralay Intraoral Scan groups demonstrated a high consistency, while the Direct Intraoral Scan groups showed moderate consistency. Variability was higher for the Duralay Lab Scan and PVS Intraoral Scan groups for short post spaces. Conclusions: The capture technique significantly affected the accuracies of the post space measurements. The techniques also demonstrated varying consistency and precision. These findings provide critical insights to guide their selections for clinical and research applications. Clinical Significance: This study is one of the few to compare the accuracy of intraoral scanners for the capture of both short and long post spaces. It addresses a key gap in current dental research and offers practical guidance for clinicians and researchers in selecting appropriate scanning techniques for various clinical scenarios. The findings have the potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of post space measurements and improve patient outcomes.