Benefits of Intraoral Scanning

Benefits of Intraoral Scanning

A modern and high-quality technique

Since its introduction in the early 1990’s, intra-oral scanning processes and technologies have greatly improved and diversified. Many positive indications have contributed to the recent growth in usage of this impression method within the dental industry. Digital impressions provide a smooth technique that produces a high-quality product with a good fit. The process is safer, healthier, and more pleasant for the patient and dental staff as there is no off-gassing of impression materials or potential choking hazards. Intra-oral scanning is growing in use within the dental industry.

A Variety of Options

A number of intraoral scanners are currently on the market and new products are constantly being introduced. Some scanners require a powder spray to be applied to the teeth in order to scan, others are powder free. Powder free scanners are offered in both monochromatic or color options. Most scanners are tethered to a workstation via a USB or other cable, however some recent wireless models have been introduced. In addition to the scanner itself, there will typically be a computer or other base station that runs the software and renders the 3D images generated by the scanner.

As with any technology, the cost may vary significantly with the features of the scanners. Some systems are open, generating an industry standard STL file, while others are more closed, requiring you to work in their eco system, or incur additional fees to export.

Most of the scanner manufacturers provide a portal or other means to communicate with the dental laboratory. The software in the office will upload to the portal and alert the selected laboratory that a new impression is available. There are also options to use independent services such as DDX (Digital Design Exchange) www.ddxdental.com to submit digital STL files and RXs. Some Laboratories, such as Bayshore, also offer our own portal, in which digital case files can be submitted.

A number of options exist to help you create your digital workflow.

A faster and more comfortable experience for dental patients

The patients that have been subjected to both the conventional impression technique and the digital technique experience a profound difference. The old moulding technique is quite messy. The patient is forced to sit with a large rubber-like material in the mouth for fifteen minutes. Many patients choke, gag, and experience great discomfort. The digital technique is more comfortable since it scans the teeth, which only requires a few minutes of the patient’s time. It also allows for the possibility to show the patient a 3D-impression of their teeth on a screen, right after the impression has been made. Another positive aspect for the patient is, of course, a better looking and fitting end result. Restorations created from a completely digital process are delivered faster and with a more precise fit and fewer chairside adjustments.

A bright future for digital dental impressions

There is a bright and sunny horizon ahead for the dental industry when it comes to digital impression techniques. The technique offer dentists and dental technicians a good chance to continue to develop their cooperation to make them even more fruitful, as well as enable a faster and more precise completely digital workflow. The new processes will lead to end results that exceed the results from traditional alginate impressions. Bayshore dental laboratory accepts any STL file for digital impressions and works with all models, including 3M™ True Definition, 3Shape TRIOS^®, iTero^® Element, Carestream 3500/3600, Sirona Cerec Omnicam or BlueCam and E4D/Planmeca Planscan^® intraoral scanners.

To learn more about submitting digital dental impressions to Bayshore Dental Lab call (866) 830-7310 or visit https://bayshoredentalstudio.com/dental-lab-services/digital-preview-service-dps/intraoral-digital-impressions/