Feasibility and Accuracy of Digitizing Edentulous Maxillectomy Defects: A Comparative Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of using an intraoral scanner to digitize edentulous maxillectomy defects. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 maxillectomy models with two defect types were digitized using cone beam computed tomography. Conventional and digital impressions were made using silicone impression material and a laboratory optical scanner as well as a chairside intraoral scanner. The 3D datasets were analyzed using 3D evaluation software. Results: Two-way analysis of variance revealed no interaction between defect types and impression methods, and the accuracy of the impression methods was significantly different (P = .0374). Conclusion: Digitizing edentulous maxillectomy defect models using a chairside intraoral scanner appears to be feasible and accurate.