Digital Impressions in Modern Dentistry
What Are Digital Impressions?
Digital impressions are a new way to make 3D pictures of teeth. Dentists use a camera to take pictures of your teeth. No more yucky stuff in your mouth!
Dentists use intraoral scanners to take these pictures. These scanners make 3D dental models that help fix teeth.
Old Way vs. New Way
The old way to make teeth pictures used goop. The goop felt bad in your mouth. It made some people gag.
The new way uses a small camera. The camera takes fast pictures. No more goop!
Let's see how they are different:
| Old Way | New Way |
|---|---|
| Uses goop | Uses a camera |
| Takes a long time | Is very fast |
| Can make you gag | No gag feeling |
| Can be wrong | Very right most times |
| Takes weeks | Can be done same day |
How Digital Impressions Work
Here's how the dentist takes digital pictures of your teeth:
- The dentist uses a small camera
- The camera takes lots of pictures
- A computer puts all the pictures together
- The computer makes a 3D model of your teeth
- The dentist can see your teeth on a screen
This is called CAD/CAM. These big words mean the computer helps make things for your teeth.
Why People Like Digital Impressions
Patients like digital impressions because:
- They don't have to have goop in their mouth
- It is fast - only 5-7 minutes
- They can see their teeth on a screen
- They don't have to come back as much
Dentists like digital impressions because:
- They are very right - 25-50 μm true
- They can fix problems right away
- They can make teeth parts the same day
- They have 58% fewer do-overs
What Digital Impressions Can Help With
Digital impressions help with lots of teeth work:
Crowns and Bridges
When you need a new tooth top (crown), the scanner takes a perfect picture. This helps make a crown that fits just right.
Implants
Guided implant surgery uses digital pictures to put new teeth in just the right spot. This works 98.5% of the time!
Check out our dental implant tools here
Braces and Clear Aligners
Digital impressions help make Invisalign® and other clear braces. The computer shows how your teeth will move.
Full Mouth Fix-ups
For people with no teeth, digital scans are 90% right compared to only 72% for the old way.
See our orthodontic supplies here
Digital Scanner Brands
There are many intraoral scanners that dentists use:
- iTero Element - good for Invisalign®
- 3Shape TRIOS - takes color pictures
- CEREC Omnicam - can make same-day crowns
- Medit i700 - a new small scanner
A big study found that 92% of patients like digital scans better than the old way.
Digital Impression Steps
Here is what happens when you get a digital impression:
- The dentist cleans your teeth
- They use a small scanner in your mouth
- The scanner takes pictures of all your teeth
- You can see your teeth on a screen
- The dentist sends the pictures to make new teeth parts
Most scans only take 5-7 minutes for all your teeth! That's much faster than the old way that took more than 16 minutes.
Who Uses Digital Impressions
Many dentists now use digital impressions. In fact, 65% of dentists in the USA use them.
Dentists need to do about 20-30 scans to get good at it. But most learn fast! [^8]
See our 3D dental intraoral scanners here
Good and Not-So-Good Things
Good Things:
- No goop in your mouth
- Fast - only a few minutes
- See your teeth right away on a screen
- Can make new teeth parts the same day
- Very right and true
- Less time in the dentist chair
Not-So-Good Things:
- The tools cost a lot of money
- Dentists need to learn how to use them
- Some teeth spots are hard to scan
- Not all dentists have them yet
The Future of Mouth Pictures
Digital impressions keep getting better! New things coming soon:
- AI will help make scans even better
- Smaller wireless devices you can hold in one hand
- Better pictures of teeth under the gums
- Digital twins that show how your teeth will look
Soon, almost all dentists will use digital impressions. They help make your visits shorter and better!
Check out our dental equipment collection
Common Questions
Does it hurt?
No! Digital scans don't hurt at all. The scanner just takes pictures.
How long does it take?
Most scans take 5-7 minutes for all your teeth.
Will my insurance pay for it?
Most insurance plans cover treatments made from digital impressions.
Is it safe?
Yes! Digital impressions are very safe. They just use light to take pictures.
Can all dentists do this?
Not yet. About 65% of dentists in the USA have these scanners.
Words to Know
- Intraoral scanner - the camera that takes pictures inside your mouth
- CAD/CAM - how computers help make teeth parts
- 3D dental models - the pictures of your teeth on the computer
- Guided implant surgery - using computers to put in new teeth
- exocad - a computer program dentists use
- ADA standards - rules for good dental care
Wrap Up
Digital impressions make going to the dentist better! They are fast, don't use goop, and help make better teeth parts.
Next time you go to the dentist, ask if they use a 3D dental scanner. You might be surprised how easy it is!
