Effect of Different Preparation Depths for an Inlay-Retained Fixed Partial Denture on the Accuracy of Different Intraoral Scanners: An In Vitro Study

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the effect of different preparation depths for inlay-retained fixed partial dentures on the accuracy of intraoral scanners. Materials and Methods: Tooth preparations for two inlay-retained fixed partial dentures were done and divided according to depth of the preparation. Group A: 2 mm pulpal floor depth, 3 mm gingival floor depth and Group B: 3 mm pulpal floor depth, 4mm gingival floor depth. The CEREC Omnicam 4.4.4, Omnicam 4.6.2. Trios3 and Medit i500 intraoral scanners were used in this study. Tooth preparations were scanned by each scanner 10 times. The STL files obtained from the intraoral scanners were compared to the reference models (trueness) and within each test group (precision) using a 3D comparison software. Data were then statistically analyzed. Results: Regarding trueness, two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between the different types of scanners (p < 0.001) (Omnicam 4.4.4: 65.09 ± 2.87 Omnicam 4.6.1: 52.73 ± 3.31 Medit i500: 58.45 ± 2.63 Trios 3: 41.79 ± 4.42). Preparation depth had no significant influence on the trueness (p = 0.083). For precision two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between the different types of scanners (p < 0.001). Preparation depth had no significant influence on the precision (p = 0.111). Statistically significant interactions were found between the different variables. Conclusions: The depth of preparation did not have an influence on the accuracy of different scanners. However, the type of scanner influenced the accuracy of digital impressions with Trios3 showing the highest accuracy.