Conformity, reliability and validity of digital dental models created by clinical intraoral scanning and extraoral plaster model digitization workflows.

Background: In dentistry, digitization of dental arches with intraoral scanners could one day replace impressions and plaster model digitization processes, if accuracy is clinically sufficient. This study aimed to assess the reliability, validity and conformity of an intraoral scanning procedure (Lythos, Ormco) and of two extraoral digitization workflows via alginate impression and plaster model scanning with the D810 (3shape) or the Atos II Triple Scan (GOM) under clinical conditions.

Methods: In 20 subjects three consecutive intraoral scans, three alginate and one reference polyether impression were taken of both the upper and lower dental arch, respectively.