Digital vs Traditional Dentistry

Today, digital intraoral scanner usage is growing and vastly improving workflows in a variety of dental procedures. As more and more clinicians adopt this technology, intraoral imaging will eventually replace conventional impressions. The dramatic increase in digital impression taking can be credited to the issues found with traditional impression methods.

• Traditional impressions are time-consuming.
• Impression material can activate a patient's gag reflex.
• Inaccuracies are not revealed until the impression is poured in stone, requiring the patient to come back for additional impressions.

Patients prefer the use of intraoral scanners over traditional methods, and offices incorporating this type of technology instead of those that don't are seen as state-of-the-art practices. As with the digital intraoral cameras, patients are able to see their scans on the screen, gaining an added level of trust in the clinician. The patient becomes involved in the treatment, and because the technology is relatively new, patients often feel like they are receiving advanced dental care and are more likely to share their positive experiences.

In addition, when they see themselves in a scan, this can open a lot of positive conversation about their oral health. These discussions lead to patients placing greater confidence in clinicians, which greatly improves patient treatment acceptance.

Additional benefits of the intraoral scanner are:

• The scanning procedure is markedly fast, saving time for both the clinician and the patient.
• The scans are incredibly accurate.
• Eliminates the choking and gagging often caused by traditional impression methods.
• This method offers more efficient processes. If the scan is not satisfactory, it can easily be redone. Determining the accuracy of the scan can be done in real-time while the patient is still in the office.

Intraoral scanners are being used in a wide variety of dental procedures. They are being used for restoration fabrication and play a large role in surgery, orthodontic procedures, and treatment planning. The ability to produce surgery guides, provisionals, appliances, and custom implant abutments are more accessible and more efficient through scanning.