With digital 3D scanners, dental impressions are more efficient than ever.
If you are in need of dental work like crowns, dental implants, or dentures, your dentist will first take an impression of your teeth and mouth. Traditionally, this has involved biting down on dental putty to create a mold – an unpleasant experience for patients with sensitive teeth or a strong gag reflex. With digital impressions, however, your dentist can use a scanner to create a digital 3D image of your mouth.
How Does It Work?
Your dentist will use a wand-like scanning tool to capture all the details of the hard and soft tissues of your mouth.
As the device scans, computer software creates a 3D replica of your mouth that is highly accurate and can be used for a variety of dental work. The entire process typically takes less than two minutes.
The Benefits of Digital Impressions
Efficiency. Unlike traditional dental impressions, the process for digital impressions is fast and efficient. The scanner can create an accurate 3D impression in under two minutes, much faster than waiting for dental putty to harden.
Accuracy. Your dentist will be able to monitor the impression as the device scans your mouth and ensure that everything is accurate and there are no errors in the scan. Furthermore, a retake of the scan is much easier than redoing a dental putty impression if something is not right.
Faster restoration. Whether you are going to the dentist for crowns, dentures, dental implants, or any other restoration, digital impressions expedite the process. While traditional impressions involve creating a physical cast of your teeth after the mold is set, a digital 3D image is ready to go immediately after the scan is complete.
A more enjoyable experience. Digital impressions eliminate the need to sit with unpleasant dental putty in your mouth. Many patients dislike dental putty either for the unpleasant taste, the way it triggers their gag reflex, or how it irritates their sensitive teeth.
