Usefulness of Intraoral Scanner for Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Introduction : In pediatric dentistry, early determination of various types of malocclusion and bad oral habits is important for diagnosis. Child patients with limited dental treatment experience often feel stress during conventional impression taking with an alginate impression material. The aim of this study was to assess preferences and procedure times for impression techniques in pediatric sub jects who underwent impression taking with both a conventional technique and a digital technique with an intraoral scanner. Materials and Methods : In 6 child patients, conventional impressions were performed using an algi nate impression material as well as digital impressions with an intraoral scanner (TRIOS ^Ⓡ;3 Shape,Copenhagen, Denmark). The mesiodistal crown width of the maxillary left first molar in each subject was compared between the conventional and digital impression results. In addition, each procedure was timed and subject preferences regarding the impression techniques were assessed with a question naire survey given immediately after the procedures were concluded. Obtained data were analyzed us ing Mann-Whitney's U test. Results : There were no significant differences for mesiodistal crown width between the conventional and digital impressions. Although the chair time required to take the conventional impression was shorter than that for the digital impression, all subjects stated that the digital impression procedure was more comfortable. Conclusion : For pediatric patients, a digital impression technique may be more useful than a conven tional method.