The dental industry has been witnessing a significant digital revolution, with high-quality digital intraoral scanners emerging as a cornerstone technology. These advanced devices have transformed traditional dental practices, offering a leap in precision, efficiency, and patient comfort. This article explores the world of intraoral scanners, their functionality, benefits, and how digital scanners are shaping the future of digital dentistry.
What Are Intraoral Scanners?
Intraoral scanners are digital devices that capture three-dimensional images of the inside of a patient's mouth. They consist of a wand-like component equipped with advanced imaging technology. This wand is moved around the patient’s mouth to scan the teeth and gums, creating a digital impression that is displayed in real-time on a connected monitor.
How Do Intraoral Scanners Work?
The technology behind intraoral scanners typically involves either optical imaging or laser technology. As the scanner is passed over the dental structures, it captures detailed images and stitches them together to create a comprehensive 3D model of the mouth. This model can then be used for various diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.
One of the great things about most intraoral scanners is that they utilize visible light rather than X-ray radiation, making them safer for both patients and practitioners. In addition, they don’t require the use of conventional impressioning media that is expensive to produce and store, as well as uncomfortable for some patients.
The Benefits of Intraoral Scanners
Adopting intraoral dental scanners into your practice can bring about a number of different benefits, including but not limited to the following.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Intraoral scanners provide extremely accurate digital impressions. The level of precision in these 3D images is crucial for creating well-fitting dental restorations and appliances, and can improve treatment planning.
- Improved Patient Comfort: Gone are the days of uncomfortable dental molds. Intraoral scanners eliminate the need for traditional impression materials that can be unpleasant for patients, especially those with a sensitive gag reflex. This results in a far superior patient experience.
- Time Efficiency: The scanning process is quick and efficient, significantly reducing chair time. Digital impressions are instantly available for review, speeding up the treatment planning process.
- Streamlined Workflow: Digital impressions can be easily shared with dental laboratories, facilitating a smoother, faster workflow. This integration reduces the turnaround time for dental restorations.
- Eco-friendly: Digital impressions eliminate the need for disposable impression materials and plastic trays, making the process more environmentally friendly. There’s also zero waste.
- Space Savings: With digital impressions, you’ll no longer have to store hundreds if not thousands of physical patient impressions.
- Simpler Disinfection Protocols: Some dental scanners are made with autoclavable tips, streamlining disinfection. Moreover, if you adopt digital scanning, you no longer will need to disinfect impression trays.
- Improved Patient Communication: Some patients love to be able to see a 3D digital scan of their mouth, and for some, it is easier to visualize the proposed treatment, which may improve treatment acceptance.
Applications of Intraoral Scanners
Intraoral scanners have a wide range of applications in dentistry:
- Restorative Dentistry: For crowns, bridges, and veneers, intraoral scanners ensure accurate fittings and better aesthetic results.
- Orthodontics: They are used to plan orthodontic treatments, including the design of custom aligners and retainers.
- Implantology: Intraoral scanners assist in planning dental implant procedures, ensuring precision in implant placement.
- Dental Analysis: They are valuable tools for general dental examinations and in monitoring the progress of dental treatments.
The Future of Intraoral Scanners
The future of intraoral scanning technology looks promising, with continuous advancements being made. Integration with other digital dental technologies, such as 3D printers and advanced software for treatment simulation, is on the rise. Additionally, AI integration is being explored to further enhance diagnostic capabilities and treatment planning.
Where to Get Started with Intraoral Scanners?
Many reputable dealers sell current and previous generation intraoral scanners.
If you’re ready to get started scanning, or just researching intraoral scanners, give us a call. We’ve helped thousands of doctors save on their dental imaging purchases - saving our customers an average of up to 30-50% off new list prices.
Our sales reps have the industry knowledge and expertise to help you get the most value for your next system. And, with our brand-neutral approach, you can be sure we’re helping you choose the right equipment for your unique imaging needs and not just the brand we represent.
And, one of the best parts of purchasing with Renew Digital beyond our industry-low pricing, our price includes a 3D-optimized laptop, warranty coverage and training & support. Give us a call at (888) 246-5611 or fill out a form below to get started.
