An Updated Comparison of Current Impression Techniques Regarding Time, Comfort, Anxiety, and Preference: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare digital and conventional impressions in terms of impression time, and comfort, anxiety, and preference of the patients.Methods: Digital scans (Trios 3 Cart) and conventional impressions (irreversible hydrocolloid material, hand-mixed) were randomly performed on 39 patients by a single experienced operator at 14-21-day intervals (crossover design). The impression time, comfort score with the visual analog scale, anxiety level with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and preference with a questionnaire, were recorded. The 2 techniques were compared with the independent t-test in terms of time, comfort, and anxiety. Patient–operator assessment and time–comfort relationship were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test.Results: No statistical difference was found between the 2 impression techniques in terms of time (P = .231). Both the operators’ and patients’ comfort scores showed that the digital technique was found to be more comfortable (P .05).Conclusion: Digital scanning and conventional dental impression were similar in terms of impression time and anxiety of patients. However, patients were more satisfied with the digital technique, and preferred it.

Keywords

• intraoral scanner
• dental impression
• patient comfort
• dental anxiety
• clinical efficiency