Digital impressions are revolutionising dentistry – from patient experience to the accuracy and turnaround time of manufacturing dental restorations. With a growing number of practices adopting scanners, we have provided the run down on digital impressions.
What is a digital impression?
Digital impressions are a digital recreation of the patient’s mouth captured by an intraoral scanner. The digital impression can then be used to manufacture a range of dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, implant retained prosthesis, occlusal splints, and dentures.
How are digital impressions created?
Digital impressions are created using an intraoral scanner which captures a series of images and precise measurements which are stitched together by software to create an accurate and precise rendering of the mouth. These renderings are typically displayed on the chair-side monitor.
How to take digital impressions.
Prepare the patient’s teeth for scanning by clearing the area of blood and saliva.
Use the intraoral scanner wand to scan the mouth.
The intraoral scanner software pieces the images together and displays the digital impression on the monitor.
The dentist reviews the 3D model to check the scan to ensure everything has been captured – such as clear margins.
The digital impressions are sent through to the dental laboratory for manufacturing of the restoration.
Why we recommend digital impressions.
Intraoral scanners create a virtual, computer-generated model of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. The scanner captures clear and accurate data in as little as 25 seconds, without the need for messy and uncomfortable traditional impression techniques. After taking and checking the scans, they can then be immediately sent to the dental laboratory through the scanner software – no need for couriers.
Benefits of digital impressions
Overall comfort – digital impressions are more comfortable than traditional impression techniques – particularly for patients with a sensitive gag reflex.
Increased accuracy resulting in better fitting restorations.
Less chair time due to the speed of digital impressions, scans in as little as 25 seconds.
Faster turnaround time, digital files are quickly sent through to the lab via the scanner software.
Easy storage of impressions as digital files, rather than physical models.
Better for the environment – eliminating the use of plastic impression trays and reducing the use of couriers.
Thinking of taking your practice digital?
Bring your practice into the digital age of dentistry wth a Shining 3D scanner $15,990 + Bonus $500 lab credit. Offer ends 30th June 2023. Learn more about the Shining 3D intraoral and lab scanners here.