Influence of Scan Body Geometry, Implant Angulation, and Interimplant Distance on the Accuracy of Maxillary Full-Arch Digital Implant Scans: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Background This study compared the accuracy of different scan body geometries under different implant angulation and interimplant distance conditions. Evidence regarding full-arch digital implant scanning under these conditions remains limited. Material/Methods In this in vitro study, 5 implants were placed in maxillary edentulous plaster models representing 3 implant systems (Bioinfinity, Meisinger, and Mode). The reference implant was positioned perpendicular to the ridge crest at the midline. Implant angulations (5° and 10°) and interimplant distances (5 mm and 10 mm) were standardized. Scan bodies were attached to the master model, and each model was scanned 10 times using an intraoral scanner (TRIOS 5). Three-dimensional deviations were calculated. Data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (α = 0.05). Results No significant differences were observed among the groups at 5° angulation (P > 0.05), whereas significant differences were detected at 10° angulation for implants 1 and 5 (P < 0.01). Bioinfinity showed higher deviation values at implant 1, while Meisinger demonstrated higher deviations at implant 5. At a 10-mm interimplant distance (implants 1 and 2), significant differences were found among the groups (P < 0.001), with Bioinfinity exhibiting lower deviation values. At a 5-mm distance, no significant difference was observed at implant 4 (P > 0.05), whereas a significant difference was found at implant 5 (P < 0.001), with the highest deviation in the Meisinger group. Conclusions Increased implant angulation and interimplant distance are associated with reduced accuracy and higher deviation values in digital full-arch scans. The influence of scan body geometry varies depending on implant position.