Digital Impression Techniques and Their Role in Minimizing Marginal Discrepancies in Fixed Partial Dentures (FPDs)

Abstract

Background: Marginal discrepancies in fixed partial dentures (FPDs) can lead to secondary caries, periodontal issues, and compromised long-term success. Traditional impression methods, while widely practiced, may introduce errors due to material deformation, tray selection, and manual manipulation. Digital impression techniques have emerged as an innovative solution for enhancing precision, reducing clinical chair time, and improving patient comfort.

Methods: This review and descriptive study evaluated existing literature on digital impression techniques and their impact on marginal accuracy of FPDs. Databases such as PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant articles published between 1995 and 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on clinical trials, in vitro studies, and systematic reviews discussing digital impression systems, margin adaptations, and restoration fit. Exclusion criteria encompassed unrelated prosthetic treatments and incomplete data on marginal discrepancies. Data were extracted and synthesized to compare the differences between conventional and digital impressions in terms of gap sizes, patient outcomes, and overall prosthetic longevity.

Results: Across multiple clinical and in vitro studies, digital impression systems demonstrated lower mean marginal gap values compared to conventional impressions. These techniques provided better visualization of preparation margins, minimized errors during data acquisition, and allowed immediate digital processing. Several modern intraoral scanners improved fit, especially when employing enhanced software algorithms for image stitching. Additionally, digital workflows consistently reduced patient discomfort and shortened appointment durations, while maintaining comparable or superior accuracy to conventional methods

Conclusion: Digital impression techniques have shown a promising capacity to minimize marginal discrepancies in FPDs, potentially improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Future research is warranted to refine scanning technologies, explore cost-effectiveness, and clarify long-term performance..