Effects Of Battery Levels And Transmission Distances On Scanning Accuracy

This study aimed to explore the effects of battery levels and transmission distances on the accuracy and scan time of wireless intraoral scanners during complete-arch scans. A maxillary complete-arch typodont was used as a master model. Two wireless IOSs (Trios 4 wireless [TR4] and Trios 5 [TR5]; 3Shape A/S, Denmark) were evaluated across 4 battery levels (1∼25%, 26∼50%, 51∼75%, and 76∼100%) and 3 transmission distances (0.3∼1 m, 1∼3 m, and 3∼5 m). A reference standard tessellation language (STL) file was generated by digitizing master model with a laboratory scanner. A total of 480 experimental STL files were generated, and scan time was recorded. Scanning accuracy (trueness and precision) was assessed by calculating root mean square (RMS) using Geomagic Control X. Two-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the data. Battery levels and transmission distances significantly affected trueness and scan time (P<0.05). The least distortion was observed at battery levels of 1∼25% and distances of 1∼3 m, while the fastest scans occurred at 76∼100% battery levels and 0.3∼1 m distances. Scanning precision was independently influenced by both factors (P<0.05), with the highest precision at 76∼100% battery levels and 0.3∼1 m distances. Transmission distances within 3 m did not impair scanning trueness, even at lower battery levels (1∼25%). However, maintaining battery levels above 50% is recommended for optimal scanning precision and efficiency.