Primescan, the latest generation of intraoral scanners, is designed for different digital workflows – in practice with CEREC as well as with the dental laboratory or other partners. Using the Connect software, a digital 3D model can be transferred directly to the laboratory of choice for further processing. Using high-resolution sensors and a short-wave light, a scan of the tooth surfaces is accurately captured. Up to one million 3D pixels per second are captured by Primescan, and these can be executed more reliable than ever using optical high-frequency contrast analysis. 

New studies confirm high performance of Primescan 
Primescan enables highly precise digital impressions to be taken over the entire jaw, as evidenced by a 2019 University of Zurich study.¹ Recently, Primescan’s accuracy has been further demonstrated once again by national and international studies.^3-5 

The study of Dutton et al. demonstrates the versatility of the acquisition technology of Primescan, as it not only records natural and prepared tooth surfaces with high precision, but also captures materials used in dentistry with a high degree of accuracy across all substrates and for complete arch scanning.³ They further tested the effect of different substrates on the trueness and precision of eight different intraoral scanners. In 11 out of 15 categories, Primescan ranked number one, and for the remaining four categories, Primescan ranked among the top three.³ 

Primescan’s impressive degree of precision in taking digital impression over the entire jaw¹ continues. An in-vivo study done by the University of Gießen confirms the accuracy of digital and conventional full-arch impressions in patients, and results show that among the tested scanners, only Primescan showed no significant deviations to long-span accuracies obtained with conventional impressions.⁴ 

A study by Beijing University tested the precision of  Primescan and two other intraoral scanners in edentulous jaws. The precision of Primescan was significantly better than the other two scanners for maxilla.⁵ In trueness of the three scanners, when scanning the maxilla and mandible, there was no significant difference.⁵ The results of the 2020 in vitro study by the University of Zurich showed that the preparation margin accuracy of Primescan was significantly better than the other intraoral scanning systems involved in the study in local accuracy for single-tooth preparations.²

Dentists like the fact that, with Primescan, it is possible to scan deep regions (up to 20 mm). This allows a digital impression even with subgingival or particularly deep preparations. Almost all tooth surfaces are captured, even when scanning from a very sharp angle.

Our customers are our compass
“The studies confirm again that, with Primescan, we have provided our customers with a high-quality technology that delivers truly impressive results," said Dr. Alexander Völcker, Group Vice President CAD/CAM at Dentsply Sirona. "We continue to add and improve workflows with Primescan as we’re convinced Primescan’s outstanding technology opens the doors for more applications in digital dentistry. Thanks to the technology of high-frequency contrast analysis, Primescan enables our customers to achieve outstanding accuracy in digital impression. And the extensive positive feedback from our respected experts and users all over the world, our most important compass, encourages us to continue to lead in this area’s development and innovation.”

“As a dentist, my expectation of myself is to deliver exceptional results for every one of my patients.” said Dr. Carlos Repullo, a dentist from Seville, Spain. “And with Primescan I can do so: the scan delivers a precision that one can scarcely imagine being improved. And this also applies to a full jaw scan, which can be prepared exceptionally quickly. This is exactly the quality we need in our practices.”

References

1. Ender A, Zimmermann M, Mehl A. Accuracy of complete- and partial-arch impressions ofactual intraoral scanning systems in-vitro. Int J Comput Dent 2019;22(1):11-19. 
2. Zimmermann M, Ender A, Mehl A. Local accuracy of actual intraoral scanning systemsfor single-tooth preparations in vitro. J Am Dent Assoc 2020;151(2):127-135 (doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2019.10.022). 
3. Dutton E, Ludlow M, Mennito A et al. The effect different substrates have on the truenessand precision of eight different intraoral scanners. J Esthet Restor Dent 2020;32(2):204-218 (doi: 10.1111/jerd.12528. Epub 2019, Sep 30). 
4. Schmidt A, Klussmann L, Wöstmann B, Schlenz MA. Accuracy of Digital andConventional Full-Arch Impressions in Patients: An Update. J Clin Med 2020;9(3):688 (doi: 10.3390/jcm9030688). 
5. Cao Y, Chen JK, Deng KH et al. [Accuracy of Three Intraoral Scans for PrimaryImpressions of Edentulous Jaws.] Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2020;52(1):129-137.