An intraoral scanner is a small, handheld device that quickly and easily captures digital impressions of your teeth. At Mega Dental, we use these scanners because they are highly accurate and can give us a detailed look at your teeth and gums so that we can create a customized treatment plan just for you.
The intraoral scanner can also be used for various purposes outside planning treatments. For example, we can use scans of your mouth instead of traditional impressions to create a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth during sports or nighttime wear. Additionally, we can take scans of your teeth to create custom whitening trays as well as show you how your smile will look after orthodontic treatment. This visual can be extremely helpful for you and your doctor when discussing your treatment plan.
How Is an Intraoral Scanner Used?
An intraoral scanner is attached to the camera that scans the mouth in seconds and provides a detailed view of each tooth and the supporting bone structure. The intraoral scan provides a 3D image or a digital impression of the teeth and gums, which is sent to the laboratory and used to make precise restorations like crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and more. These restorations are made of high-quality materials that look and feel like natural teeth and blend seamlessly with your smile. Dental restorations fabricated based on scans from an intraoral scanner offer better fit and natural aesthetics, ensuring your restorative treatment looks and feels natural.
Once the restorations are made at the lab, they’re fitted to ensure that the color and shape match the patient’s smile perfectly. Once confirmed, the restorations are placed onto the patient’s teeth and secured using bonding cement. Once complete, patients can enjoy their healthy, beautiful smiles.
The Advantages of Using Intraoral Scanners
- Ease of Use
Intraoral scanners are extremely easy to use and offer convenient features. They can be used in all aspects of dentistry, including the fabrication of dental crowns, implants, Invisalign aligners, and more. They can make digital impressions in seconds and provide a digital file to store and share securely. This can save time for your staff and reduce the need for paper files.
- Convenience for Patients
Patients also tend to love the use of intraoral scanners for treatments. They are comfortable to use, fast, and provide instant results. The digital image's precision helps ensure a proper fit and improved treatment outcomes. Additionally, patients can review their digital scans on their own time to become more informed and confident in their care.
- Improved Accuracy
Digital impressions are also more accurate than traditional impressions. Traditional impressions require a lot of skill and experience, whereas digital impressions can be captured with incredible detail and precision. It provides precise measurements that can be used to create excellent restorations.
Intraoral scanners offer a more comfortable patient experience than traditional impression materials. For more information, contact the Dentist in Richmond, TX at Mega Dental at 10510 FM 1464 Suite 100, Richmond, TX 77407, or call (832) 930-7723.