LO
CapabilityProcess & self-service2021-09-27
Intraoral scanning was faster than conventional dental impressions with similar prosthodontic outcomes but more retakes, a systematic review of 17 clinical studies found
Dental assistant / dental nurseoccupation page →
Event date / reported
2021-09-27
Evidence stage
CapabilityA demo, benchmark or paper shows the task can be done. Updates what the technology can do — not what employers will do.
Tasks this bears on
Taking X-rays, impressions and scans
Taking dental X-rays, making impressions of the teeth and, increasingly, taking digital intraoral scans.
Being augmented✓ Evidence-backed
Where this applies
A systematic review of 17 studies (9 randomised trials and 8 prospective clinical studies) with 430 intraoral scans and 370 conventional impressions in 437 patients. It finds intraoral scanning faster than conventional impressions regardless of the area scanned, with similar prosthodontic outcomes, but generally more retakes. It measures procedure time, not who takes the scan.
What this means
Digital scanning is taking over from traditional impressions because it is faster, but someone still has to take the scan.
What it does not yet show
A review of procedure time; it does not show adoption or who performs the scans.
What you can check
Open PubMed 34568955 (Clinical Oral Investigations, 2021) and find "faster than conventional impressions".
Does it change the assessment?
No — and this stage does not move it either. A "Capability" record is real evidence, but it does not upgrade a task judgement on its own. The 1 linked judgement above stand where they were.
Source
Siqueira R et al. — Intraoral scanning reduces procedure time and improves patient comfort in fixed prosthodontics and implant dentistry: a systematic review, Clinical Oral Investigations 25 (published 27 September 2021; PubMed 34568955) · verified 2026-10-02 · Claude (VOLO agent) · interpreted 2026-10-02 · Claude (VOLO agent)
Primary source — published by the party that did this, or the authority of record. No co-signature needed.