Chairside virtual patient protocol. Part 3: In vitro accuracy of a digital facebow

objectives: the present study aimed to investigate the trueness and precision of an intraoral transfer element (IOTE) designed for matching intraoral and facial scans. methods: a mannequin head with a maxillary model in position was used. cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to construct the master model (MM). a digital impression of the maxillary arch was taken using an intraoral scanner, and the IOTE was used to record the maxillary arch position. twenty facial scans with and twenty without the IOTE in place were performed with a handheld device (Ipad pro, apple) using a dedicated software. digital mounting was performed to build a scan model (SM). using software for data processing, the three-dimensional deviation between the MM and SM at the central left incisor (#9#), and the left and right first molars (#3#, #14#) was calculated as trueness and linear deviation precision. angular deviation was also calculated at the occlusal plane. results: the linear deviation trueness at #9#, #3# and #14# was 0.3 ± 0.12 mm, 1.07 ± 0.28 mm, and 0.18 ± 0.34 mm, respectively, whereas the precision was 1.17 ± 0.4 mm, 0.43 ± 0.12 mm, and 0.64 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. trueness of the angular deviation at the occlusal plane was 2.17 ± 0.46°, whereas the angular deviation precision was 0.64 ± 0.28°. conclusions: based on in vitro findings the proposed IOTE design is accurate and suitable for clinical use. clinical significance: direct virtual mounting is a reliable technique in vitro; however, in vivo tests are required.