Digital Impressions

Digital impressions replace putty-based molds with a fast, noninvasive intraoral scan that captures thousands of high-resolution images as a small wand is moved around the teeth and gums. These images are stitched together in real time to form a three-dimensional model that clinicians can examine from every angle and use to plan restorative or orthodontic care. The scanning process is intuitive, produces a precise digital dataset, and eliminates many of the handling steps required by analog impressions.

The resulting digital file is immediately available for inspection, manipulation, and measurement, allowing clinicians to verify margins, occlusion and soft-tissue relationships before moving forward. Because the output is a computer file, it can be archived, compared over time, or transmitted electronically to a laboratory or specialist without the distortion risks associated with physical materials. Advances in color reproduction and margin detection have expanded the range of clinical situations where scanning is appropriate.

Traditional impressions create a physical negative that must be poured into stone, handled carefully and shipped to a lab, which introduces opportunities for distortion and delays. Digital impressions produce an exact, manipulable dataset that is available instantly, reducing the need for physical transport and the potential for material-related errors. Clinicians can zoom, rotate and measure within the model to confirm critical details prior to fabrication.

Because digital files are standardized and easily annotated, communication with dental technicians becomes clearer and more efficient, which often improves turnaround and reduces remakes. The ability to save and compare scans over time also supports long-term monitoring and treatment planning in ways analog records do not. In many cases, digital and analog techniques can be combined where each offers specific advantages.

Most patients find digital scanning more comfortable than traditional tray-and-putty impressions because the process avoids bulky materials that trigger gagging or breathing discomfort. The scanner wand is small and scanning sessions are brief, which helps patients with limited jaw opening, sensitive soft tissues or dental anxiety. When needed, clinicians can pause or work in small segments to keep the experience tolerable.

Digital workflows also reduce the chance of retakes because clinicians can immediately review the scan and rescan only the specific area that needs improvement. This targeted rescanning shortens chair time and minimizes the need for follow-up appointments that are solely related to impression issues. The visual nature of the scan further helps patients understand findings and proposed treatments, which can reduce anxiety.

Digital impressions capture fine details such as margin lines, undercuts and occlusal anatomy with high consistency, which supports precise fit and function for crowns, bridges and implant restorations. When scans are combined with CAD/CAM design and milling, technicians can produce prosthetics that require fewer adjustments at insertion and maintain healthy interfaces with surrounding tissue. This level of precision reduces the risk of discomfort and contributes to long-term success.

For implant cases, accurate digital data streamlines the transfer of implant positions and orientations, which is essential for passive fit and predictable prosthetic outcomes. Cross-referencing scans with prior records also helps clinicians track subtle changes and make evidence-based decisions about restorative margins and periodontal management. While technology has advanced rapidly, clinician technique and case selection remain important determinants of final accuracy.

Yes. Digital files are transmitted electronically in standardized formats, eliminating shipping time and the risk of damage to physical impressions during transit. Labs receive precise digital models that allow technicians to plan and fabricate restorations more efficiently, which often reduces turnaround compared with conventional workflows. Digital annotation options let clinicians indicate margin zones, preferred materials and shade considerations directly on the scan.

When a practice has in-office CAD/CAM capability, scans can be converted immediately into millable designs and finished as same-day ceramic restorations, reducing the need for temporaries and additional appointments. Even when external labs are used, the specificity and clarity of digital briefs decrease the likelihood of miscommunication and remakes. Overall, the digital workflow supports smoother collaboration between clinician and laboratory.

Digital impression systems can enhance infection-control protocols by reducing the handling of impression materials and physical models that travel through the office or mail stream. Scanner wands are typically used with barrier sleeves and disinfected between patients, and the reduced physical inventory minimizes clutter and surfaces that require cleaning. These practices support a cleaner, more efficient clinic environment.

Patient scans are stored electronically and should be maintained within secure practice management systems or encrypted cloud services that meet applicable privacy requirements. At Artistic Family Dental, scanned files are archived and managed using secure systems to facilitate retrieval, monitoring and sharing with specialists as needed while protecting patient privacy. Proper recordkeeping also makes it easier to compare scans over time when tracking treatment progress.

While digital scanning is suitable for many restorative and orthodontic applications, certain clinical situations can still challenge current technology. Deep subgingival margins, highly mobile soft tissues or excessive bleeding can obscure critical details and may require adjunctive techniques or traditional impression methods to capture accurate information. Severe trismus or other access limitations can also make intraoral scanning difficult.

Clinicians evaluate each case individually and may use a combined approach—digital for accessible areas and analog for regions that are hard to capture—to ensure optimal results. The goal is to select the impression method or hybrid workflow that provides the most reliable information for fabrication and long-term success.

Digital impressions feed directly into CAD/CAM workflows, where scans are used to design crowns, inlays, onlays or veneers within design software and then sent to an in-office mill or 3D printer. This integration enables efficient same-day restorations for selected cases, eliminating the need for temporaries and additional visits in many situations. The streamlined process requires trained staff and suitable in-office equipment to achieve predictable esthetic and functional outcomes.

Even when a practice does not mill restorations onsite, digitally designed cases can be exported to external laboratories with detailed annotations, material specifications and shade guidance. This level of precision helps ensure that lab-fabricated restorations fit accurately and meet esthetic expectations while reducing the likelihood of remakes.

During a digital scanning appointment, the clinician will position a small wand-like scanner and gently pass it over the teeth and gums while the patient remains seated in a relaxed position. The process is typically quick and well tolerated, with clinicians pausing to rescan any area that requires more detail. Patients can often see the three-dimensional model on a screen, which helps them understand the condition of a tooth or proposed treatment steps.

Scan time varies by the complexity of the case but most restorative scans are completed in only a few minutes, and targeted rescans can be performed immediately if needed. Because the digital file is available right away, clinicians can discuss next steps, share records with a laboratory or plan same-day treatment where appropriate. The immediate feedback and visual reference often make the visit more informative and participatory for patients.

Digital impressions are an integral part of comprehensive treatment planning and are used for restorative work, implant restorations, clear aligner therapy and long-term monitoring. Scans are combined with other diagnostic tools such as digital radiography, CBCT and intraoral camera images to create a complete clinical picture that supports precise treatment decisions. The ability to compare current and previous scans helps clinicians detect subtle changes and tailor care accordingly.

Integrating digital impressions into the workflow also improves coordination with specialists and laboratories by enabling secure electronic sharing and detailed case instructions. If you have questions about how scanning fits into your specific treatment plan, the team at Artistic Family Dental can explain how this technology may support the outcomes you and your clinician are seeking.