Assessment of the accuracy and reliability of new 3-dimensional scanning devices.

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and the reliability of the SureSmile OraScanner (Orametrix, Richardson, Tex) by comparing it with other desktop 3-dimensional scanners: VIVID910 (Konica Minolta, Tokyo, Japan) and R700 (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). A laser-based scanner, the SLP250 Laser Probe (Laser Design, Detroit, Mich), served as the gold standard.

METHODS: Five sets of dental casts were used. First, the accuracy of each scanner was studied by comparing the 3-dimensional models created by OraScanner, VIVID910, and R700 with the gold standard 3-dimensional models of the SLP250. To assess the reliability of the 3-dimensional models, the shell/shell deviation of each model was calculated based on the same surface-based registrations for all 5 sets of dental casts.

RESULTS: OraScanner, VIVID910, and R700 were sufficiently accurate when compared with the gold standard. In the assessment of reliability, there were no significant differences between all comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the OraScanner system has a sophisticated algorithm for 3-dimensional surface registration and can be used to generate accurate and reliable 3-dimensional digital models for use by clinicians.