What is an intraoral scanner, and how does it replace dental impressions?

If a tray of putty pressed against your teeth has ever made you tense up, you’re not the only one. Some people find conventional impressions uncomfortable.¹ An intraoral scanner is a small handheld wand that captures images of your teeth and gums and combines them into a digital model on a screen. For many treatments, that model can take the place of a physical impression. 

What you will learn in this article: 

• A digital impression records tooth surfaces without a mouthful of putty. 

• Scans help plan treatments such as crowns, bridges and clear aligners. 

• Comfort and accuracy depend on the patient, equipment and treatment. 

• Traditional impressions still have a place in some care plans. 

Want to find out whether digital impressions fit your treatment plan? Schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to discuss your options. 

How does an intraoral scanner work? 

An intraoral scanner uses light and imaging technology to capture the surfaces of your teeth and nearby gums. As your dental provider moves the wand around your mouth, software combines the images into a 3D digital model. That model serves as your dental impression.¹

You may be able to watch it build on the screen beside you. Sections fill in as the scan moves along. Instead of waiting for a tray of material to set, your dental team captures the areas needed for your care. 

The finished model shows the shape of your teeth and how they fit together. It gives your dental provider and lab a starting point for planning a restoration or appliance.¹ 

What happens during a digital dental scan? 

Your dental team guides the wand around the teeth being scanned. Depending on your treatment, they may capture both upper and lower teeth, then ask you to bite together to record how the two arches meet. The exact scanning sequence varies. 

The screen shows the model forming. If an area looks incomplete, your dental team can return to that spot and capture more detail. Your dental provider reviews the impression before using it for treatment. 

You still need to keep your mouth open while the wand moves around. If you're worried about reaching the back teeth or holding your jaw open, mention that before the scan starts. Ask how to signal when you need a pause. 

What treatments use digital dental impressions? 

Digital impressions can help create crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays. They also have uses in clear aligner treatment, bite appliances and guides for dental implant surgery.² The scan's role depends on the treatment you're having. 

The digital file can be shared with a dental lab electronically. There is no physical impression to box up and ship.¹ However, the lab still needs time to design and make your restoration or appliance. 

If you're preparing for a crown, learn more about what to expect during a dental crown procedure, including where impressions fit into the process. 

What are the benefits of digital impressions? 

For patients who dislike conventional impressions, the biggest difference may be the experience itself: 

• Less material in your mouth. Scanning avoids the bulky tray and putty used for a conventional impression.¹ 

• A model you can see. The screen gives you a view of what your dental team is capturing. 

• Targeted re-scanning. An incomplete section can be captured again without repeating an entire tray impression. 

• Electronic delivery. The lab receives a digital file instead of a physical impression that needs shipping.¹ 

Accuracy matters too, but digital does not automatically mean better in every situation. Scans can provide accurate impressions for crowns and short bridges. Results can vary with the type of treatment and other variables during scanning.² 

A scan is not a guarantee of a perfect fit on the first try. Your dental provider still checks the final restoration or appliance carefully. 

When might a traditional dental impression be needed? 

Digital scanning works well for many treatments, but a conventional impression may still suit some cases better. For example, scans covering a full arch for certain restorations or dentures may be less accurate than traditional methods.²

Equipment and experience also vary by office. Your dental provider considers what information is needed and which method can capture it reliably. A recommendation for a physical impression does not necessarily mean you're getting less effective care. 

If you have a preference, bring it up. Ask your local dental provider which impression method fits your treatment and what can make the appointment more comfortable. 

What is an intraoral scanner, and how does it replace dental impressions? FAQs 

Will I still need dental X-rays after a digital scan? 

You may. A scanner records the surface of your teeth and gums, not what’s beneath them. Your dental provider decides what other imaging your care needs. 

I have a strong gag reflex. Will a scanner help? 

It may. Some patients find scanning easier because they don’t have to hold a tray of impression material in their mouth.¹^,² The wand still needs to reach the areas being scanned, so comfort varies. Tell your dental provider about previous difficulty with impressions before the appointment. 

Does a digital scan mean I can get a same-day crown? 

Not necessarily. Same-day crowns require equipment to design and make the crown in the office, as well as a case suited to that approach. Other offices send the scan to an outside lab.³ Ask whether your crown will be made on site and how many visits to expect. 

Sources 

¹ Cleveland Clinic: “Dental Impressions.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22671-dental-impressions 

² American Dental Association, ADA News: “Digital dentistry: What to know about a few popular technologies.” https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2022/june/digital-dentistry-what-to-know-about-a-few-popular-technologies 

³ Cleveland Clinic: “Dental Crowns.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns