At present, a knowledgeable dental practitioner understands that digital dentistry offers an array of benefits to patients, unlike the traditional dentistry. So, for the patients who undergo dental treatment once with the help of digital devices, there is a high chance that they will not go back to traditional dentistry. So, today, many dentists are using 3D dental imaging as it offers more accurate results, is less penetrative than the traditional x-ray, and is thus convenient for offering restorative dentistry such as dental implants. If you are a dentist and want to provide a planned restorative dentistry solution, then you should first know about 3D dental scanners, how they work, and offer help. It is then that you will feel more confident, be familiar with the technology, and be able to offer effective dental solutions.
What Is the Process of 3D Dental Scanning?
Dentists use 3D dental scanners, a new-age device, to obtain images of their patients’ teeth and jaw. Besides, it allows the dentist to have a better look at the patient’s teeth by fabricating a 3D image, which appears just like it does in reality. So, this makes it easy for dental practitioners to properly plan the treatment that they want to provide. Plus, it also enables dentists to accurately diagnose the dental condition of patients, as with the help of 3D scanning, dentists can see the width, depth, and height of every individual tooth.
3D imaging is thus appropriate for a variety of dental procedures. This includes orthodontic treatment, dental implants, TMJ treatment, oral surgery, root canal therapy, sleep apnoea, and other treatments.
Traditional x-rays are gradually becoming obsolete due to their limited scope for dentists. So, doctors now favor 3D dental scanners that allow dentists to see a clear image of teeth, muscles, infections, nerves, disease, and more.
What Should a Patient Expect?
A dentist may ask his or her patients to sit, stand, or lie down when a patient undergoes dental impressions, depending on the type of 3D dental technology that the dentist uses. However, it is most common for the dentist to ask a patient to sit down when obtaining virtual dental x-rays, as it is more comfortable for the patient. And, it is also comfortable for people who have disabilities.
During the imaging process, the dentist should ask the patient to keep his/her head on the chin rest, to avoid any kind of movement. The device rotates around the patient’s head a few times to capture a 360-degree image of his/her skull, jaw, and teeth. And, during the process, the patient is exposed to radiation, however, the amount of radiation is extremely negligible in comparison to the traditional dental x-ray method.
How is 3D Dental Scanning Useful for a Dental Practitioner?
A lot of patients favor digital dentistry when it comes to dental treatment. This is because this method is extremely fast, accurate, and not time-consuming. Further, this new-age method helps cosmetic dentists, orthodontists, and tooth restoration professionals with treatment planning, which they were unable to do when using the traditional method. To explain more precisely, the 3D dental scanners that the dentist uses in this process can analyze the bone quality of the patients, and therefore, he/she can make a better decision about whether a dental implant will be suitable for a particular patient or not. This is not at all possible with the help of traditional dentistry.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now understand how digital scanning technology works and how it can be used to improve dental treatment diagnosis and planning. So, if you are a dentist who has just thought about buying a 3D dental scanner, you should not waste any time and invest in a good-quality digital dental scanner. This way, not only will you be in a position to offer the best treatments, but also a superior experience, which patients want, and you can increase the patient’s footfall at the clinic.
