## 3 Discussion  
Intraoral 3D scanning (IOS) has revolutionized the field of dentistry and orthodontics, offering a digital alternative to conventional impressions (CIs). IOS has several advantages, especially for use in infants with cleft lip and palate. One of the notable advantages of IOS and the digital model preparation is its speed. CIs, which typically involve the use of alginate or putty materials, are time-consuming, as an individual impression may must be customized for each patient. In contrast, IOS can capture highly detailed 3D images in a matter of minutes, significantly reducing the time required for diagnosis, treatment planning, and preparation [16; 23]. Moreover, IOS provides highly accurate digital impressions, reducing the risk of material-related errors such as distortion, bubbles, or tearing that can occur with traditional alginate impressions [15]. Several scientific studies have focused on comparing the accuracy of conventional plaster models and digital jaw models. While research groups around [PERSON] [24] and [PERSON] [25] utilized superimposition exclusively, [PERSON] et al. [26] concentrated on intra-arch measurements, and [PERSON] et al. [17] integrated both intra-arch measurements and surface discrepancy analyses to evaluate the accuracy of IOS compared to CIs. The authors demonstrated that there were no significant variations between the superimposed models created from the IOS and CIs in neonates with cleft lip and palate. The results were consistent regardless of cleft severity (size) or type (unilateral/bilateral). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in either the type of measurement or the compared impression variants (alginate, IOS, and putty), showing that IOS has comparable accuracy to CIs [17]. The digital data acquired through IOS can be easily stored, shared, and accessed by other clinicians, improving communication and collaboration between practitioners and specialized healthcare centers. This facilitates a more efficient, streamlined digital workflow by eliminating the need for physical plaster models, saving storage space and reducing the risk of lost impressions or damaged plaster models [15]. The most important advantage of IOS is in patient safety. CI taking carries several risks. The complex anatomy of the cleft area increases the likelihood of the impression material tearing during the process. Impression material left unnoticed in the cleft area can cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues. In severe cases, torn impression mate rial may lead to aspiration and respiratory obstruction, necessitating immediate medical intervention [14; 27]. IOS has not been associated with any risks or complications. It rarely happens that a patient bites the intraoral 3D scan tip during 3D scanning, but when it does occur, it results in a slight superficial irritation of the mucosae and will heal itself without any medical intervention [16]. In particular, this new ability to take a risk-free impression allows for re-3D-scanning of anatomically challenging areas that are not optimally represented or that are, for cleft-related reasons, difficult to access to ensure optimal quality of the digital maxillary models. Completed in just a few minutes, yielding high-quality images of the individual jaw segment structures, IOS is a fast, accurate, and safe procedure. Despite the advantages, the initial investment in intraoral 3D scanners can be prohibitively high. High-quality intraoral 3D scanners are cost-intensive, making them less accessible to small practices or solo practitioners. It is therefore difficult to implement this approach consistently in various healthcare facilities, especially in resource-limited environments. The need for regular software updates and maintenance further adds to the financial burden. It is worth considering that the quality of the intraoral 3D scan depends in particular on the respective intraoral 3D scanner.