What are digital dental impressions? Dr. Manrique, a specialist in Dentistry, explains what this new technique consists of.
Digital dental impressions are virtual reproductions of the teeth and gums in a computer, collected by means of an intraoral scanner. In other words, the images capture the oral anatomy by means of an intraoral camera and are then viewed directly on the computer.
The process is carried out by taking photographs of the mouth that are organized to give a three-dimensional view. This is why the process is also called buccal scanning.
What advantages does it offer over other traditional methods?
The main advantage is that no impression material has to be used, so the patient’s comfort is maximized. In addition, the uncomfortable nausea experienced by some patients with the conventional impression-taking system is avoided. For the dentist, the handling of information is much faster, since the waiting time is significantly reduced compared to the processing of conventional impressions. Overall, it is an improvement over the conventional technique for the patient and makes the dentist’s work easier.
Are there any disadvantages?
There are no disadvantages for the patient today, quite the contrary, since the quality of the image is maximum, improving the use of the same with respect to conventional technology. As far as contraindications are concerned, they may be due more to a technical limitation due to the procedure to be scanned than to a contraindication for the patient.
In which cases can a digital dental impression be taken?
Nowadays it is practically possible to take a digital impression for all impression-taking procedures such as:
- Diagnostic studies.
- Orthodontics.
- Ceramic inlays.
- Composite inlays.
- Individual crowns.
- Partial bridges.
- Large oral rehabilitations.
- Occlusal deprogramming splint.
- Conventional implantology.
- Immediate implant loading.