Diagnostic Applications of Intraoral Scanners: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In addition to their recognized value for obtaining 3D digital dental models, intraoral scanners (IOSs) have recently been proven to be promising tools for oral health diagnostics. In this work, the most recent literature on IOSs was reviewed with a focus on their applications as detection systems of oral cavity pathologies. Those applications of IOSs falling in the general area of detection systems for oral health diagnostics (e.g., caries, dental wear, periodontal diseases, oral cancer) were included, while excluding those works mainly focused on 3D dental model reconstruction for implantology, orthodontics, or prosthodontics. Three major scientific databases, namely Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, were searched and explored by three independent reviewers. The synthesis and analysis of the studies was carried out by considering the type and technical features of the IOS, the study objectives, and the specific diagnostic applications. From the synthesis of the twenty-five included studies, the main diagnostic fields where IOS technology applies were highlighted, ranging from the detection of tooth wear and caries to the diagnosis of plaques, periodontal defects, and other complications. This shows how additional diagnostic information can be obtained by combining the IOS technology with other radiographic techniques. Despite some promising results, the clinical evidence regarding the use of IOSs as oral health probes is still limited, and further efforts are needed to validate the diagnostic potential of IOSs over conventional tools.

Intraoral Scanning for Monitoring Dental Wear and Its Risk Factors: A Prospective Study

“…In this context, IOSs are emerging as tools that facilitate the implementation of an affordable and accurate wear quantification method [ 46 ]. In the present study, the use of the True Definition scanner for wear analysis was chosen due to its reliability and efficacy [ 58 ], a choice that is consistent with a systematic review published in 2023 showing that the most commonly used scanners for assessing dental wear are the True Definition, followed by the TRIOS 3, Cerec Omnicam and Planscan [ 59 ]. Furthermore, given the lack of in vivo studies [ 2 , 5 , 59 ] using this technology to quantify dental wear and its relationship to potential causes, the present study was developed.…”

Development of handheld optical coherence tomography based on commercial intra‐oral scanner shape for extended clinical utility in dentistry

“…[6][7][8] However, while IOS is primarily used for taking digital impressions as it can take 3D scan tooth surface, 9 even molars deep in the inner corners, it has limitations in diagnosing dental disease, which requires scanning the inside of the tooth. 10 Currently, intraoral radiography, panoramic radiography, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are representative digital dental diagnostic imaging technologies, and each technology is used differently depending on the diagnostic purpose. [11][12][13] However, these conventional imaging techniques also have critical and clear limitations in dental diagnosis, such as patient exposure to radiation.…”

“…Among them, the 3D intra‐oral scanner (IOS) is one of the primary systems of digital dentistry, a digital equipment that can scoop up tooth patterns directly from the oral cavity with a digital scanner and send them to a dental laboratory or design them directly at the dental clinic, instead of using impressions in conventional dentistry 6–8 . However, while IOS is primarily used for taking digital impressions as it can take 3D scan tooth surface, 9 even molars deep in the inner corners, it has limitations in diagnosing dental disease, which requires scanning the inside of the tooth 10 …”

Fine structural human phantom in dentistry and instance tooth segmentation

“…Oral health is a sensitive indicator of overall health and therefore, developing better dental treatment plays an important role in increasing quality of life. In clinical dentistry, medical imaging with different modalities, such, as two-dimensional (2D) panoramic X-rays 1 , three dimensional (3D) intraoral scans 2 , 3 , and 3D cone-beam computed tomography (3D CBCT) images 4 , 5 , is frequently used to assist in diagnosis and/or treatment planning. Among these, in particular, the CBCT can provide fine-structural 3D volumetric information, including that of tooth roots and alveolar bone 6 – 8 .…”