Technology is making rapid strides in the dental industry, and you can see innovative solutions to make diagnosis easier and faster. One such solution is the digital impression scanner. This amazing technology has rendered dental x-rays almost redundant. The intraoral scanners use NIRI (Near-Infrared Imaging), which is not very harmful to our bodies. It allows dentists to scan the mouth of a patient with the help of light and sensors. The scanned images are then processed by a scanning software to create a complete 3D model of the mouth. This allows the dentist to quickly diagnose the problem in great detail, and prescribe the right treatment.
Compared to X-rays, there are multiple benefits of using a digital impression scanner to take images of the mouth of the patient. One of them is the elimination of the exposure to harmful X-rays. The dental X-ray, though a highly useful diagnostic tool, has its side effect. There is a segment of our society that requires frequent X-rays as they have a higher risk of dental problems. This segment has people with dental issues or exhibit characteristics such as periodontal disease, dry mouth, someone having gone through extensive restorative work, and smokers. Such people require regular checkups for which they have to take frequent X-rays of their mouths. Needless to state, such frequent exposure to X-rays can increase the chances of cancer. However, this is not the case when we talk about the digital intraoral scanner.
The intraoral dental scanners make it easier to take impressions of the mouth. Furthermore, compared to X-ray images, the 3D intraoral scanner creates a highly accurate three-dimensional image making diagnosis and treatment more accurate and effective.
Benefits of using a digital impression scanner
There are multiple benefits of using an intraoral scanner as listed below:
Gives Instant Access and Real-Time Imaging
One of the benefits of using a digital scanner is that you can show your patient in great detail the problem associated with his/her teeth. It is highly educative for your patients to see the current condition of their mouths in 3D. It allows you to explain the treatment you are proposing and its likely impact.
Molding Dental Prosthetic
During the fabrication of a dental prosthetic, the dentist can use the digital impression scanner to find the position of your existing teeth. Based on the image, you can then take accurate impressions and forward them for manufacturing:
- Crowns
- Inlays
- Bridges
- Onlays
- Implant-supported restorations
- Dentures
Real Color Representation
The intraoral scanner system can provide true color models. This helps the dentists in diagnosing the problem more accurately. It allows them to capture gingiva and tooth shades and texture quite clearly and accurately.
Easy to Record and Store
Storing big X-ray files can be a headache. On the other hand, when you use intraoral scanners, then you do not need excess space to store the physical models. You can easily retain the scans in your digital archive and even send them to your patient’s email at zero cost.
No Waste is Generated
Another benefit of using the 3D intraoral scanner is that it does not generate any waste. This not only saves a lot of money but is also environmentally sustainable.
Excellent ROI
When you buy an intraoral scanner, the benefits you obtain are immediate. It results in improving your professional setup, leads to lower material costs, and improves patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the use of the latest technology improves the quality of your diagnosis significantly.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned benefits of using intraoral scanners make it one of the important tools of diagnosis that is needed in any dental clinic to increase patient footfall.
