## 3 Discussion
The size of the 3D scan tip, the speed of image generation and the software error correction algorithm can affect the intraoral 3D scan result. The 3D scan quality also relies on the patient's cooperation. Movement intensity or streaming during IOS and the amount of saliva/mucus production can be influencing factors that reduce the 3D scan quality. Although IOS is generally user-friendly, it still requires a certain level of expertise and experience to obtain accurate and reliable results. The clinician must master the technique of IOS, manage issues such as motion artifacts, and ensure proper alignment of the 3D scanner within the patient's mouth. The 3D scan tips for use in newborns with cleft lip and palate are not special but standard 3D scan tips, designed in size and shape for 3D-scanning adolescents and adults. Their use in this special field of application therefore requires some practice. Inadequate training or insufficient experience can lead to suboptimal 3D scans [23]. Especially in the application for patients with cleft lip and palate, IOS may struggle with certain clinical situations. The depth of field of the intraoral 3D scanner poses a significant challenge when imaging deeper structures between the jaw segments within the cleft area. For a 3D scan to be considered successful, all jaw segments must be registered as a continuous surface. Occasionally, the software fails to identify the entire jaw as a contiguous structure, which can result in important sections being inadvertently removed from the final 3D scan, requiring the user to build virtual bridges. The digital data generated by IOS can be large and complex, requiring robust storage solutions and careful management. Secure data storage is critical, particularly when handling sensitive patient information. Moreover, compatibility between different 3D-scanning devices and digital analyzing software can be an issue, requiring practitioners to invest in standardized systems or risk encountering difficulties with data transfer. Digital data processing requires a properly functioning hardware and software connection and is therefore sensitive to network faults. The OnyxCeph\({}^{3\text{TM}}\) software provides a wide range of patient- and case-related 2D and 3D imaging capabilities for use in everyday clinical dental and orthodontic practice. The digital analysis presented in this study is a new innovative model analysis created specifically for use with models of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and can easily be added to the existing OnyxCeph\({}^{3\text{TM}}\) basic version. Several studies have investigated morphological changes in the maxilla based on measurements taken from plaster casts [4; 5; 6; 7] or digitized plaster models [8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13]. The limitations of plaster casts in terms of patient safety, material-related inaccuracy, and level of detail have already been described. Digital impressions are a viable alternative as they are at least equal to conventional impressions in terms of accuracy [24; 25; 26; 17] and superior in termsof patient safety, speed, and reproducibility [14; 16; 27]. To complete the digital workflow, new digital measurement methods are essential for analyzing maxillary growth and measuring the jaw segments of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. With the advantages of intraoral 3D scanning mentioned above, digital measurement methods improve the accuracy and reproducibility of assessments, which is crucial for identifying anatomical variations associated with unilateral cleft conditions. These advanced techniques allow for detailed maxillary analysis, enabling clinicians to capture subtle changes that might be overlooked in traditional methods. The ability to capture detailed surface textures also facilitates the measurement of relevant anatomical surface structures of the maxillary tissues, leading to improved clinical measurement outcomes.