Yes—dental photogrammetry is generally accurate enough to record implant positions for full-arch implant work, and comparative studies often find better measurement accuracy than intraoral scanning. But the evidence is not uniform, much of it comes from laboratory studies, and measurement accuracy by itself does not prove that a finished prosthesis will fit passively or succeed long term. Clinical verification, including a rigid prototype try-in before definitive delivery, remains important.
What “accurate enough” means
Photogrammetry records the three-dimensional positions and orientations of implant markers so they can be used in planning or fabricating a full-arch prosthesis. Accuracy is not a single measurement: studies may report distance (linear) deviation, angular deviation, surface deviation or a combined root-mean-square (RMS) error. Results also depend on the reference method and study setup, so figures from different studies are not automatically comparable.
- Trueness is how closely a recorded position matches the study’s reference.
- Precision is how repeatable the results are across repeated recordings.
A small distance error does not necessarily mean a small angular error, and a highly repeatable scan can still consistently differ from its reference. Both measures matter when judging a workflow.
How photogrammetry compares with intraoral scanning
Across comparative research, the overall balance favors photogrammetry, especially in pooled laboratory measurements. That is a useful reason to consider it for recording a complete arch of implants—not proof that it will be superior in every patient or that it guarantees a better clinical outcome.
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What the reviews found
- A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies—three in vivo and 10 in vitro—found higher accuracy for photogrammetry in 10 studies. Individual results were mixed; one in-vivo comparison found comparable trueness.
- A separate 2025 meta-analysis covering 14 studies, with searches through April 2025, reported pooled advantages for photogrammetry in distance trueness (P=.001), angular trueness (P=.02), distance precision (P=.01) and angular precision (P<.001). These statistics concern measured comparisons, not long-term prosthesis outcomes.
- A 2023 European Prosthodontic Association consensus review of nine studies—three clinical and six in vitro—judged photogrammetry and intraoral scanning to have comparable accuracy in edentulous full-arch cases. It emphasized that the evidence was heterogeneous.
The difference in conclusions reflects, in part, differences in included studies and methods. A 2024 review of 23 in-vitro studies comparing conventional and digital techniques found that 12 studies favored digital methods, six favored conventional methods and five found comparable accuracy. That review also noted limitations in the studies and the need for standardized methods.
Device-specific figures are not guarantees
A 2023 systematic review reported these ranges across studies for two photogrammetry systems. They are reviewed-study results, not current device specifications or a direct promise of clinical performance.
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| System named in the review | Reported trueness range | Reported precision range |
|---|---|---|
| PIC | 10–49 μm | 5–65 μm |
| iCam4D | 24–77 μm | 2–203 μm |
These ranges should not be read as a head-to-head ranking: they summarize results reported across the review’s included studies. The review noted that one precision result exceeded a clinically acceptable discrepancy, underscoring why a range cannot replace assessment of the specific workflow and restoration.
What the accuracy evidence does—and does not—establish
Laboratory evidence is a substantial part of the picture
Laboratory studies make it possible to compare recordings against a reference under controlled conditions, but they do not reproduce every clinical factor. The 2025 review reporting higher accuracy in 10 of 13 studies included 10 in-vitro studies and only three in-vivo studies; the 2024 review included in-vitro studies only. The clinical evidence is therefore more limited than the overall study counts may suggest.
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Study setups and reference methods vary
Results can depend on the number and distribution of implants, the reference used to judge the scan, and whether the study measures linear, angular or surface deviation. Differences in these choices make it difficult to apply one published measurement as a universal pass/fail threshold for every full-arch case.
Accurate implant positions are not the whole prosthesis
Photogrammetry is used to capture implant positions. A full-arch restorative workflow may also need information about soft tissue, teeth, the opposing arch and the relationship between the jaws. The comparative accuracy findings do not establish that photogrammetry alone captures every record needed for a particular case; the clinical team and laboratory need to account for the other records their workflow requires.
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How to use photogrammetry in a full-arch workflow
- Confirm the system and components. Check that the markers or scan bodies match the implant connection and the photogrammetry platform. Compatibility is system- and connection-specific; confirm it with the manufacturer or distributor rather than assuming a component will work across platforms.
- Capture the implant positions using the selected workflow. Photogrammetry can supply a three-dimensional record of implant positions, but the team must also obtain any other records needed for the planned restoration, such as soft-tissue or bite information.
- Review the design and fabrication with the laboratory. The scan’s measured accuracy is one part of the process; the clinical team should assess the resulting restoration rather than infer fit from a study’s deviation figures.
- Try in a rigid prototype before definitive delivery. The authors of the 2025 13-study review recommend a rigid prototype try-in while further clinical trials are needed. This provides a clinical verification step before the final prosthesis is delivered.
Practical verdict
For recording implant positions in a full-arch case, photogrammetry is a well-supported option and often measures more accurately than intraoral scanning in comparative research. The evidence does not establish a universal winner for every clinical situation, nor does it show that greater scan accuracy alone ensures passive fit or better long-term outcomes. Choose a compatible, clinically appropriate workflow and verify the prosthesis with a rigid prototype try-in before definitive delivery.
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