International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences (ISSN 2226-9614)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
VOLUME 29(23) (2026)
Comparing The Trueness of Two Scanning Techniques with Conventional Impressions for All-On-4 Implant Prostheses
Merna Sherif Ahmed Ghoneim¹, Tarek Mohamed El Saeedi², Maged Mohamed Zohdy¹, Bassem Sameh Kandil¹
¹Department of Fixed Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
²Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University,
Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Digital technologies have significantly transformed contemporary implant prosthodontics, particularly in the rehabilitation of edentulous patients with full-arch implant-supported prostheses. The purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the contemporary digital workflow used in full-arch implant rehabilitation, with particular emphasis on intraoral scanning challenges, scan body variables, scanning strategies, accuracy assessment, and passive fit of implant-supported prostheses. Relevant literature related to digital implant impressions, scan bodies, CAD/CAM workflows, passive fit, and digital accuracy assessment was analyzed, including in vitro studies, clinical investigations, systematic reviews, and narrative reviews published in the field of implant prosthodontics. The reviewed literature demonstrated that digital workflows have significantly improved clinical efficiency, patient comfort, and restorative precision. However, several factors continue to influence the trueness and precision of digital implant impressions, including implant angulation, arch length, scan body geometry and material, scanning strategy, intraoral scanner technology, and operator experience. Long-span edentulous scanning remains one of the major limitations of current intraoral scanning systems because of stitching errors and the absence of stable anatomical landmarks. Despite these challenges, digital impressions frequently demonstrate comparable or superior accuracy relative to conventional impression techniques in many clinical situations. Digital workflows represent a promising and increasingly reliable approach for full-arch implant rehabilitation. Optimization of scan body selection, scanning strategy, and data acquisition protocols may significantly improve the passive fit and long-term success of implant-supported prostheses. Continued technological advances and standardized clinical protocols are expected to further enhance the predictability of complete-arch digital implant impressions.
Keywords: Digital workflow; Full-arch implant prostheses; Intraoral scanners; Scan bodies; Passive fit; All-on-4; CAD/CAM; Digital impressions.
Full length article *Corresponding Author, e-mail: mernasherif655@gmail.com, Doi # https://doi.org/10.62877/17-IJCBS-26-29-23-17
Submitted: 24-04-2026; Accepted: 22-05-2026; Published: 28-05-2026