If you’ve ever had to go into the dentist’s office to have impressions taken the old-fashioned way, it might not have been a very pleasant experience! Biting down on that disgusting, gooey material and waiting for it to harden isn’t very fun or comfortable. But fortunately, advancements in dental technology have given dentists access to a much better way of doing things, and digital impression systems can lead to much higher quality restorations. Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about how digital impressions are changing dentistry for the better.
What Are Digital Impressions Systems?
To put it simply, digital impressions systems take digital impressions of your teeth rather than physical impressions. Instead of relying on the gooey, disgusting impression material that’s traditionally used with disposable plastic trays, your dentist can utilize technology to digitally scan and map out the inside of your mouth. Your dentist will take images of your teeth using a laser tool or a specialized digital scanner. These machines can capture all the exact details of your teeth and gums, no matter how small, and conjure a detailed and exact digital replica. This virtual 3D rendering of your mouth is much easier for your dentist to view and work with; and since your dentist has more information and a better vantage point, the resulting impressions are much more detailed, accurate, and impressive!
What Are the Benefits of Digital Impressions?
There are several benefits to opting for digital impressions, including:
- The process yields higher-quality impressions, which directly translates into higher-quality and better-fitting restorations.
- Since the impressions are digital, they can be stored electronically and indefinitely.
- Patients spend much less time sitting in their dentist’s chair; the scans are much quicker to complete than the traditional impression process involving trays and that disgusting, gooey impression material.
- Patients also spend less time waiting for their restorations, as they can usually be made in-office after the impressions have been taken, or they can be fabricated more quickly at the lab since the impressions are sent there electronically.
- There’s a much lower chance of an impression-related error or mismeasurement being made, as the technology reduces your dentist’s reliance on their hands.
- It’s much eco-friendlier and more cost-effective than the traditional impression process, as it eliminates the need for disposable plastic trays and impression material.
All of these benefits make it clear that digital impressions are the future of dentistry; especially since they lead to better restorations! If you’re in need of dental work and impressions need to be taken, opt for having them done digitally—it’s a better and more-streamlined process that yields indisputably better results.
About the Author
Dr. Shelly Strohman has proudly served patients and families in the Wichita Falls area for over 13 years. Dr. Strohman received her dental doctorate from the UMKC School of Dentistry and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. If you have any questions about the dental technology utilized by Dr. Strohman or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact her practice’s website or give them a call: (940) 613-0299.