Children's Preferences on Digital and Conventional Impression Techniques

Digital and Conventional Impression Techniques: What Influences Children's Preferences?

The goal of this crossover study is to compare children's perceptions and preferences regarding digital and conventional impression techniques in the 5- to 11-year-old age group. The main questions it aims to answer are

• Which impression methods do kids prefer?
• What influences kids' perception of impression methods?

Dental impressions will be obtained using both the conventional alginate impression (CAI) (Cavex ColorChange; Cavex Holland BV, Haarlem, the Netherlands) and digital intraoral scanning procedure (DIS) (3Shape TRIOS Color, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). After each procedure, patients will score their perceptions using a Modified Impression Perception Test, a 5-point Likert scale, for gag reflex, queasiness, difficulty breathing, uncomfortable feeling, pain perception, chairside time, and stress levels. Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Visual Anxiety Scale (1-10). Children will also be asked about their preferences and reasons in one or two sentences. Content analysis will be performed on answers to open-ended questions. Statistical analysis will be done using Fisher's Exact test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• No prior exposure to either digital or conventional impression techniques
• Absence of temporomandibular joint disorders and periodontal disease
• Cleft lip and/or palate, or other significant craniofacial anomalies
• No current use of psychiatric or neuropathic medications

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with a known history of dental anxiety or a pronounced gag reflex