Replacing a tray of putty with a digital scan changes what it feels like to get impressions at the dentist. The wand captures your teeth and bite in a few passes, creating a detailed model your dentist can review immediately. There no need to send a physical mold out for processing.
Digital Impressions
Avoid Goopy Impressions
Skip the Messy Tray With Digital Impressions
in Montgomery
At our office, a quick scan replaces the uncomfortable trays and putty once used to capture the shape of your teeth. Digital impressions in Montgomery use a small wand to create a precise, 3D model of your teeth and bite in just a few minutes.
Skipping the tray means no more gagging or waiting for putty to set in your mouth. This same scan feeds directly into planning for crowns or clear aligners, cutting down on total appointment time needed for many procedures.
Discover the Advantages of a Digital Scan
No Messy Putty
Gagging on goopy putty is a thing of the past, since the scanner captures your teeth without anything sitting in your mouth.
Faster Turnaround
A digital file can be sent to a lab within minutes, speeding up how quickly a crown or other custom restoration gets made.
Precise Digital Detail
The digital scan captures fine detail in the shape of each tooth. This helps ensure a snug and precise fit for a crown or bridge.
Comfortable Experience
Without a bulky tray pressed against the roof of your mouth, the scanning process is more comfortable than traditional impressions.
See How Your Dentist Uses Digital Scanning Technology
Digital scanning plays a role in several types of treatment offered here, not just one specific procedure. Whenever an impression is needed, the wand captures teeth and bite information quickly, without messy trays or waiting for material to set.
Here are some of the ways our team uses electronic impressions:
- Fabricating crowns and bridges to match your bite precisely
- Planning ClearCorrect® aligners and tracking movement throughout treatment
- Creating a custom retainer or night guard fitted to your teeth
- Designing a denture or partial that fits your mouth comfortably
Because scanning is quick and skips the discomfort of a physical mold, getting impressions is easier and more comfortable than older, traditional methods.
Trust our team for precise digital impressions in Montgomery. Contact us today to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Impressions
Q What are digital impressions?
A
Digital impressions are 3D images of the teeth and bite captured using a small handheld scanner instead of a traditional putty tray. The scanner creates a detailed digital model that can be sent electronically to a dental lab for fabrication of the finished piece.
Q How is a digital impression different from a traditional impression?
A
A traditional impression uses a tray filled with putty-like material that's held in the mouth until it sets, capturing a physical mold of the teeth. A digital impression instead uses a scanner to capture the same information electronically, without any material placed in the mouth.
Q Does a digital impression scan hurt?
A
Digital impressions don't hurt, since the process simply involves moving a small wand around the teeth and gums to capture images. There's no material to bite down on or wait for, so many patients find digital scans more comfortable than a traditional tray-based impression.
Q How long does a digital impression take?
A
A digital impression typically takes just a few minutes to complete, depending on how many teeth need to be scanned during the visit. This is often quicker than waiting for traditional putty material to set inside the mouth before removal.
Q How precise are digital impressions compared to traditional molds?
A
Digital impressions are considered highly precise, capturing fine detail in the shape and position of each tooth being scanned. This level of detail helps ensure that crowns, aligners, and other custom pieces fit closely once fabricated at the lab.
Q What is the scanning wand like used for digital impressions?
A
The scanning wand used for digital impressions is a small, handheld device that captures images as it slowly passes over the teeth and gums. It doesn't require any material placed in the mouth, unlike the trays used for traditional impressions.
Q Can digital impressions be used for all patients?
A
Digital impressions work well for most patients, though certain situations, such as limited mouth opening, may occasionally call for a different scanning method. A dentist can determine during an exam whether a digital scan is the right fit for a specific situation.
Q Do digital impressions replace X-rays?
A
Digital impressions don't replace X-rays. Impressions capture the visible surface of the teeth while X-rays show what's happening beneath that surface. Both serve different purposes and are often used together during treatment planning at the same visit.
