What is the intraoral scanner and how do we use it during dental treatment?
What exactly is an intraoral scanner?
The task of scanners is to take a photograph of something, whether it is a document on a sheet of paper or a three-dimensional object. It’s no different about scanners used in dentistry. With their help, the teeth and the structures of the oral cavity can be photographed. Put very simply, one could say that they replace traditional dental impression taking. In reality, they can be used for far more, and they open new possibilities during dental treatment. Their use made the development of digital dentistry a reality, about which you can read more by clicking HERE.
How does the intraoral scanner work?
The scanner is placed into the oral cavity, and the dentist scans over the teeth and the oral structures (for example, the palate). The scanner takes thousands of photos during the procedure and assembles them into a three-dimensional image, which is actually a large digital file. (Processing the data requires a high-performance computer.) The completed file contains a vast amount of information about every tiny detail of the scanned structures. The data can be easily shared with the dental technician via the internet, or it can also be stored in the cloud for any amount of time. You can read more about the specific steps of the dental treatment with the intraoral scanner in THIS article.
Is intraoral scanning painful for the patient?
No. Scanning inside the oral cavity is completely painless. Moreover, it takes much less time and is far less uncomfortable than traditional impression taking. Another advantage is that in case of an error, the entire process does not need to be repeated, because it is possible to re-scan only the problematic area (for example, a single tooth).
When is the intraoral scanner used during dental procedures?
1. Digital impression taking for fixed dental restorations
When preparing dental bridges and crowns, the prepared tooth stumps and the surrounding oral structures are digitized with the help of the intraoral scanner. You can read more about dental crowns and dental bridges by clicking HERE.
2. Digital impression taking for clear aligners (Invisalign) and lingual braces
The first step in the clear aligner or lingual orthodontic treatment is to digitize the patient’s teeth. The orthodontic appliance, the invisible aligners, or the lingual braces are then made with the help of this digital model and the digital treatment plan. You can read about Invisalign clear aligners HERE.
3. Digital impression taking for dental implants
The position of dental implants can also be recorded using special scan bodies intended for intraoral scanning. You can read more about dental implants HERE.
4. During the fabrication of inlay and onlay restorations
The places for these restorations must be properly prepared using cavities drilled into the teeth. Digital impressions of these cavities can also be taken with the intraoral scanner. You can read about inlays and onlays by clicking HERE.
5. Digital impressions needed for veneer restorations
Before making veneers, a small amount of the tooth structure must be removed. A digital impression can also be taken by intraoral scanning of the prepared surface and the surrounding teeth.
6. For documentation purposes
We can take a digital impression of your teeth at any time. This information can be stored for many years, and the data is retrieved when needed. In case of tooth damage or loss, your original smile can be restored based on the information in the digital impression.
7. To facilitate dental consultation
After photographing the teeth, they can be displayed on a computer monitor. This greatly facilitates dental consultation by showing patients any possible abnormalities. Be it a decay developing on a tooth or tartar accumulation on the inner surfaces of the teeth.
8. For detecting hidden tooth decay
The latest iTero Lumina scanner, using NIRI (near-infrared imaging) technology, can detect cavities forming between the teeth. This method is more accurate than searching for decay with X-rays, and moreover, it has no harmful health effects.
What are the advantages of digital impression taking compared to traditional methods?
1. Speed
Scanning the teeth is a much faster process than taking a traditional impression. There is no need to struggle with choosing the proper impression tray. There is no need to wait for the impression material to harden. And the entire process does not need to be repeated if the impression has a fault.
2. Accuracy
When I used an intraoral scanner for the first time in my life, I couldn’t believe my eyes at how detailed the image produced by it was. The next surprise came when the crown made, based on this digital information, fit the tooth so perfectly that I had never experienced with traditional impressions.
3. Comfort
Needless to say, from the patient’s perspective, “photographing” inside the mouth is much more pleasant than enduring runny impression materials and large impression trays.
4. Vast array of possibilities during treatment
5. Incredibly impressive
When I show someone a 3-dimensional scan of their teeth for the first time in their life, it is usually met with great interest and excitement. On the digital image, we can literally show anything to the patient about his teeth. We can even draw on the picture or add notes. (These images can be downloaded to your phone or computer with the help of a personalized QR code.) All this greatly facilitates communication and consultation. Moreover, with the help of artificial intelligence, even during the very first consultation you can already see what your smile will look like after dental treatment!
If you would like to take part in the digital revolution of dentistry, then visit our clinic for a consultation! You can book an appointment by clicking HERE.