What is Digital Scan?
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that technology has truly leaped forward in dentistry. In the past, a filling or denture procedure was a process that lasted days and was filled with uncomfortable impression trays. Now, things are completely different. Treatment processes have become much more comfortable, faster, and more reliable for both patients and dentists. One of the most striking innovations in this transformation is “digital impression” technology.
Digital scanning is a revolutionary system in modern dentistry, leaving behind traditional impression trays and dough. Thanks to the three-dimensional imaging of the mouth with a special scanner, the impression-taking process becomes both practical and extremely precise. And what’s more, you no longer have to keep those uncomfortable impression materials in your mouth!
This technology not only provides comfort but also significantly increases the success of treatments. Digital scanning produces millimeter-accurate results, ensuring a perfect fit for a wide range of treatments, from dentures and porcelain veneers to clear aligners and implants.
What is Digital Scanning?
Digital scanning is a modern technology that takes the dental impression-taking process to a whole new level. This method uses a special device called an intraoral scanner. The scanner scans your teeth, gums, and oral structure with high precision in seconds. So, no more holding those traditional impression trays in your mouth for minutes! No more irritating putty-like materials, no more nausea… Everything is much easier and more comfortable now.
During the scanning process, the device instantly transmits images from inside your mouth to a computer screen. This allows both you and your dentist to see your teeth in three dimensions. These digital data are then converted into a perfect 3D model of your mouth.
This model isn’t just a visual; it’s a digital guide in your dentist’s hands. Many applications, including porcelain veneers, zirconia teeth, implant-supported dentures, and clear aligner treatments, are created with exact fit using this digital impression.
How to Take a Digital Impression?
The digital impression process is one of the most enjoyable steps in dentistry, taking comfort to a whole new level. While it may sound complicated, it’s actually quite simple and quick. Your dentist slowly scans your teeth using a thin, specialized scanner tip. This scanner captures thousands of tiny images per second, combining them to create a three-dimensional digital replica of your teeth, gums, and oral structure.
The entire process usually takes only two to three minutes. There are no nauseating impression pastes, no need to hold your mouth open for minutes. In just a few minutes, a detailed digital map of your mouth is created.
The best part is, you don’t even have to wait for the results! As soon as the scan is complete, the resulting digital model appears instantly on your computer screen. Your dentist can check the accuracy of the impression on this three-dimensional image and make minor adjustments on the fly, if necessary.
Differences Between Traditional Impressions
Once upon a time, taking dental impressions was one of the most dreaded steps for almost everyone. The thick silicone material, when placed in the mouth, would create both an unpleasant taste and a feeling of nausea. Furthermore, keeping your mouth open for extended periods of time was not easy. Thankfully, those days are over. With digital impression technology, taking dental impressions has become both a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
So, what exactly are the differences between traditional impressions and digital impressions? Let’s take a look together:
Digital Impressions Are More Comfortable
Digital impressions don’t use putty or silicone materials. A small scanner tip is simply placed in your mouth, and the procedure is completed in a few minutes. So, no more of that “I can’t breathe” feeling!
Faster
With traditional impressions, preparation, application, and drying took minutes. Digital scanning, on the other hand, takes only 2-3 minutes. It’s fast, convenient, and delivers results without waiting.
More Precise
Digital impressions offer micron-level precision. This means dentures, veneers, or implant-supported work will fit your teeth almost perfectly. Small errors, discrepancies, or subsequent adjustments are a thing of the past.
No Repetition
With traditional impressions, even the slightest mistake meant redoing the entire procedure. With digital systems, if a missing area is detected, the dentist immediately detects it and simply rescans that area. Accurate results are achieved without any time loss.
You Can Store Data
Digital impressions can be securely stored on a computer. Access to the same data is possible even years later. This makes planning future procedures much easier and faster.
Advantages of Digital Impressions
Digital impressions are a revolutionary technology that combines comfort and precision in dentistry. The biggest advantage of this system is its ability to measure with millimeter-level accuracy, ensuring a perfect fit for veneers, dentures, or clear aligners. Furthermore, the process is incredibly fast, with impression data instantly sent digitally to the laboratory, eliminating the need to wait for shipping or worry about spoilage. For patients, this method provides complete relief; those uncomfortable impression pastes left in the mouth for long periods are a thing of the past.
Digital impressions are a true respite for those experiencing nausea, children, or those with sensitive skin. Furthermore, patients can instantly see a three-dimensional image of their own teeth on a screen, allowing them to participate more consciously in the treatment process. Best of all, digital impressions are securely stored on the computer; years later, when a similar procedure is necessary, the same data can be easily retrieved without the hassle of re-impressions. In short, digital impressions save time and create a perfect harmony for smiles.
In Which Treatments Are Digital Impressions Used?
Digital impressions are a technology that has found its place in almost every field of dentistry today. They make a significant difference, especially in treatments where precision and aesthetics are paramount. For example, zirconium or porcelain veneers are created using digital impressions to ensure a natural-looking appearance for your teeth. Implant-supported dentures fit with similar precision and are long-lasting. Furthermore, clear aligner treatments (such as Invisalign), which are quite popular today, provide an exact fit thanks to digital scanning, expediting the treatment process.
Crowns and bridges can also be prepared with much greater precision using digital impressions. Furthermore, in aesthetically focused applications like digital smile design, digital impressions are a significant aid in achieving the smile you envision. In short, digital impressions offer a reliable and convenient solution for modern dentistry, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
