DuraTemps: Ensuring Case Success

The use of technology has created a new dimension to dentistry, often creating faster, more accurate treatments. The use of intraoral scanners greatly improves the patient experience by eliminating the often unpleasant aspects associated with taking conventional impressions and bites. Often, scanned cases can reveal enhanced details that are better shared with patients on a screen to inform them of their specific treatment plans.

These scans can be sent immediately to Burbank Dental Lab, where they can be uploaded in real-time and discussed if needed. This is especially critical if any changes need to be made to the preparation design. These changes can be made while the patient is still in the operatory.  The benefits of digital scanning methods include:

• Chair time is reduced since digital scans are faster than conventional scans.
• There is no need to use impression material.
• The accuracy of the final restoration is improved, reducing insertion time and remakes.
• Patients find digital impressions more tolerable than conventional methods.

To ensure digital scans are accurate, all of the same issues apply as with conventional impression methods. The margins and gums must be handled correctly, and the preparation must be adequate for the desired material choice. In addition, please consider the following to improve the accuracy of digital scans:

• Provide a scan of the area to be treated, the opposing and the bite.
• The submarginal line must be clear for the scanner to pick up the image; this means for preparations, the tissue must be retracted.
• Slowly take the scan to ensure the necessary tooth structures are captured.
• Rotate the scanner to capture 4-5mm of the patient’s soft tissue.