Dimensional accuracy of optical bite registration in single and multiple unit restorations.

The dimensional accuracy of optical bite registration in the CEREC system was compared to that of the conventional physical method in vitro using a bite registration material. Maxillary and mandibular full-arch dentate epoxy models mounted on an articulator were used to measure the interarch distance and the angles created by the occlusal planes. The preparations for a single restoration on the maxillary first molar or for multiple restorations on the maxillary posterior quadrant were made on the model. Optical impression and bite registration data were collected to construct virtual models using computer-aided design software. A silicone material was used for the physical method, and the dimensional accuracy was measured by means of the coordinate measuring machine. The discrepancy relative to the baseline before preparation was analyzed in each registration record. For the single restoration, the optical method created a mean discrepancy of 243.2 μm relative to baseline at the prepared tooth, which was insignificantly but slightly lower than the mean discrepancy of 311.1 μm obtained with the physical method. The mean rotational deviation in the horizontal plane was significantly lower for the optical method. For the multiple preparations, the optical method showed significantly larger discrepancy on the right molar and on the left premolar and molar sites. In the frontal view, the optical method created significantly larger rotational deviation than the physical method. The result indicates that the optical bite registration was effective in terms of dimensional accuracy for single posterior restorations.