Figure 14. When digital impression taken, the virtual model is appearing
continuously on computer screen. Additional scans are integrated to the
incomplete (white) areas.
Figure 15. Scanned image can be displayed on computer screen and si-
multaneously on dental laboratory devices. It helps communication be-
tween lab and dental office.
Figure 16. Built in software features of intraoral scanners (such as occlusal analysis) make dentists’ work lot easier. Some scanners determine tooth shade
and are equipped with intraoral cameras, thus expanding the possibilities of communication between dental lab and dentists.
to decrease in the future as the cost of production of
scanners is declining.
4.2.2. Advantages of intraoral scanning
One great advantage is that the virtual model can be
evaluated immediately chairside on the computer
screen and the preparation can be modified if needed
(Fig.14).
Built-in features of the software help to find not properly
scanned surfaces and scan the approximal areas. The
software provides data on adequate material thickness
corresponding to the type of the dental appliance. The
virtual model can be modified easy and quick, there is
no need to rescan the whole arch.
Scanning is more time-efficient than conventional
impression-taking. No time needed for mixing, setting,
disinfection or casting.
In addition, digital impression taking is an environment-
friendly procedure, as it eliminates the large amount
of hazardous waste generated by conventional
impressions in dental practices. Ease of documentation
is an important advantage. Digital models never wipe,
break, wear out. Patient documentation can be stored
digitally on a hard disk or in the cloud and can be
recalled at any time. (Fig. 15)
Intraoral scanners have additional functions such as
color display and intraoral camera. These functions
also help patient communication as they make the
lesions visible. Some scanners are able to determine
tooth shade and forward that information to the dental
laboratory (Fig. 16).
The scanned data are also an excellent tool for
treatment follow up and to evaluate the patients’ dental
status. At the University of Zurich, Zimmermann et al.
created a digital database, which records the patient’s
Stomatology Edu Journal
INTRAORAL SCANS FOR CAD/CAM APPLICATION
Figure 17. Digital impressions save the original form and shape of pa-
tient’s teeth. The data can be stored for years and help planning of dental
treatment later.
initial status and treatment scans. The final aim is the
evaluation of long term changes in the dental status,
such as dental migration, rotation, gingiva recession,
abrasions etc. [7, 24] (Fig. 17).
Data of intraoral scanning can be fused with data of
other 3 dimensional methods, such as CT and CBCT.
This option opens up completely new perspectives
for diagnosis, treatment plan, and planning of dental
surgeries, already used in orthodontics and dental
implantation. Modern undergraduate educational
programs in implant dentistry (including digital
prosthetic treatment) can provide proffessional care
and a high treatment quality for the patients [25].
5. Conclusions
Digital dentistry is here to stay and it offers quick and
comfortable experience to the patients and an efficient
workflow to the dentist and dental technicians. The
learning curve is steep to adopt that new technology
both in the dental office and on the laboratory side.
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