Abstract
Patients with cleft lip and palate require multiple surgeries and dental treatments for a long period. In this study, we used an impression material for conventional impressions and the intraoral scanner TRIOS®3 （3Shape, Denmark） for optical impressions of the patients’ oral cavity. We created gypsum and digital models from impressions generated using alginate impression and optical impression data, respectively. Next, we measured each model’s distance, evaluated the difference in the measured values, and investigated the accuracy of optical impressions compared with that of conventional impressions. Forty patients scheduled for primary cleft lip and palate surgery at Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital between October 2019 and February 2021 were included in the study. Next, measurements the following three sites: the distance between the left and right alveolar tips, the distance between the posterior arytenoid points, and the distance from the maximal alveolar swelling point to the maximal alveolar recession point were noted. We observed no difference in the first two distances. However, the distance from the maximum alveolar swelling point to the maximum alveolar recession point was significantly higher with the optical impression than with the conventional impression. In conclusion, the optical impression of areas without depth and vertical components, such as the regions between the left and right alveolar tips and between the posterior arytenoid points, taken using an intraoral scanner is similar to the conventional impression taken using an impression material, and it can be used to measure distances. Conversely, optical impression is unsuitable for measuring areas with depth and vertical components, such as the distance from the maximum alveolar swelling point to the maximum alveolar recession point.
