Often, yes—especially for recording the three-dimensional positions of implants across a complete arch. Comparative studies generally find photogrammetry at least as accurate as intraoral scanning (IOS), and pooled laboratory evidence favors it on several measures. But results vary by study and measurement method, clinical comparisons remain limited, and measurement accuracy alone does not prove a finished prosthesis will fit passively or improve long-term outcomes. A rigid prototype try-in is an important clinical check before definitive delivery.
What “accurate” means in full-arch implant work
Accuracy is not a single number. Studies compare a digital record with a reference and report different kinds of deviation. The result depends partly on how that reference was created and on the study setup, so figures from different papers are not automatically interchangeable.
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Trueness and precision answer different questions
- Trueness describes how closely a scan matches its reference.
- Precision describes how repeatable the measurements are when the process is repeated.
A workflow can be repeatable without matching the reference especially closely, or it can match the reference well in one measurement while varying across repeats. Both qualities matter when recording multiple implant positions over a long span.
Distance, angle, and surface deviation are not interchangeable
Distance (or linear) deviation measures how far recorded implant positions are from the reference. Angular deviation measures how much an implant’s recorded orientation differs. Some studies also report surface deviation or an overall root-mean-square (RMS) error. A favorable result on one measure does not necessarily establish an equally favorable result on another.
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What comparative studies have found
The broad pattern favors photogrammetry, but the evidence is mixed rather than conclusive for every clinical situation.
| Review | Evidence included | Main finding and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Joensahakij, Serichetaphongse, and Chengprapakorn, 2024 | 23 in-vitro studies: 18 involving intraoral scanners and five involving photogrammetry | 12 studies favored digital techniques, six favored conventional methods, and five found comparable accuracy. The review noted study limitations and a need for standardized methods. |
| Systematic review of photogrammetry versus intraoral scanning, 2025 | 13 studies: three in vivo and 10 in vitro | Photogrammetry showed higher accuracy in 10 studies, but findings were not uniform; one in-vivo comparison found comparable trueness. The authors called for more clinical trials. |
| Rutkūnas et al., European Prosthodontic Association Consensus Project, 2023 | Nine studies: three clinical and six in vitro | Findings were heterogeneous; the review concluded that photogrammetry and intraoral scanning had comparable accuracy in edentulous full-arch cases. |
| Comparative systematic review and meta-analysis, 2025 | 14 studies, with searches through April 2025 | Pooled results favored photogrammetry for distance trueness (P=.001), angular trueness (P=.02), distance precision (P=.01), and angular precision (P<.001). These are pooled measurement comparisons, not evidence of better long-term outcomes. |
Taken together, the reviews support photogrammetry as a credible way to record full-arch implant positions. They do not establish that every photogrammetry system, scan, or patient case will outperform IOS. Much of the evidence is laboratory-based, and differences in methods make direct comparisons difficult.
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Device figures are study ranges, not guarantees
A 2023 systematic review by Gómez-Polo et al. reported these ranges across studies of two systems:
| System studied | Trueness range reported | Precision range reported |
|---|---|---|
| PIC | 10–49 μm | 5–65 μm |
| iCam4D | 24–77 μm | 2–203 μm |
These are ranges from the studies reviewed, not current manufacturer guarantees or the result of a direct head-to-head clinical test. The review also noted that one precision result exceeded a clinically acceptable discrepancy, underscoring why a range should not be reduced to a single “accuracy” claim.
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What the scan records—and what it does not
Photogrammetry is used to record the three-dimensional positions of implants. That is a crucial part of a full-arch implant impression, but position data alone should not be mistaken for a complete record of every feature needed to design and deliver a prosthesis. The workflow may also need information about soft tissue, teeth, the opposing arch, and the relationship between the jaws. The cited reviews do not establish that every system or workflow captures all of those elements in the same way.
Photogrammetry systems use compatible markers or scan bodies as part of the position-capture workflow. Compatibility depends on the implant connection and the photogrammetry platform; confirm both with the manufacturer or distributor rather than assuming a component will work across systems.
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Why a clinical fit check still matters
A close match to a study reference is a measurement result. It is not, by itself, proof that a completed prosthesis has a passive fit in a particular patient, nor that the workflow improves long-term clinical outcomes. A recent review recommends a rigid prototype try-in before definitive delivery. The European Prosthodontic Association review also identifies the need for further verification of acceptable misfit thresholds and objective clinical assessment criteria.
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