Ⅰ What is an intraoral scanner? What is its main function?
An oral scanner is a device that employs optical imaging technology to take three-dimensional digital pictures of the patient's teeth, gums, and other soft and hard tissues in their mouth.
Intraoral scanners can do things that standard silicone rubber impressions couldn't:
Getting 3D digital models of teeth in real time
Restoration of dental morphology, adjacency connections, and bite status with high accuracy
Using data directly for CAD/CAM design, CNC machining, or 3D printing
Make it possible for clinics and technical schools to send digital data to each other.
A summary of what intraoral scanners can do:
Getting 3D data
Modelling with very high accuracy (micrometre level)
Seeing things in real time
Storing and sending information digitally
Works with many different dental systems
These skills are what make intraoral scanners competent to handle more and more dental treatment projects.
Ⅱ How to use an intraoral scanner in restorative therapy
1. Restorations that are fixed (crowns, bridges)
Right now, this is the most popular and advanced use case for intraoral scanners.
The projects that apply are:
Crown made of all ceramics
Crown made of metal and porcelain
Crown of zirconium
Single crown or multi-unit dental bridge
Benefits of employing intraoral scanners:
Avoid problems like bubbles, tearing, and deformation that happen with typical impressions.
Make the edges clearer and cut down on retouching
Make patients more comfortable and lower their nausea reaction.
CAD/CAM systems can directly work with digital files.
Intraoral scanners have slowly taken the place of traditional impressions because people want high-precision restorations. They are now the most common solution in modern restorative care.
2. Repairing embedded and veneer
For undertakings that involve restoring the look of anything, the details are what make or break something.
Items that can be treated:
Ceramic inlay (inlay/inlay)
Veneer veneers
Aesthetic repair that isn't too invasive
The worth of scanning within the mouth:
Getting the edges and preparation lines of teeth right
Good for making thin restorations look good
Cut down on the time it takes to adjust your bite
Make the repair body fit better and look better.
Digital scanning has become the most common method, especially in the domains of ultra-thin veneers and minimally invasive procedures.
Ⅲ Use of an intraoral scanner in dental implantation
1. Preoperative assessment and planning for implantation
You can use oral scan data and CBCT data together for:
Planning for Digital Planting
Simulating the position of the implant
Implant that is driven by itself
This makes the plan for planting easier to see and understand.
2. Making planting guide plates
You can utilise the data you get from intraoral scanners right away for:
Design of a plate to guide surgery for implants
Guide plate for 3D printing
Make surgery more accurate and lower the chance of making mistakes.
This is an important application for clinics who want to do less invasive and quick implantation.
3. Use throughout the planting and repair phase
Planting and modelling (Scanbody scanning)
Designing the upper structure for planting
Planting bridge and crown making
Digital scanning is much more accurate, efficient, and pleasant for patients than traditional implant impressions.
Ⅳ How to use an intraoral scanner in orthodontic therapy
1. Orthodontics that you can't see
This is one of the main reasons why intraoral scanners have become so popular in recent years.
Some examples of application scenarios are:
Design of an invisible correction scheme
Simulation of teeth
Making clear braces
Comparing how well the treatment is going
Benefits of digital:
No need to remove mould, and patients are happy with it.
Can be scanned many times to compare different treatment plans
Connect quickly with the invisible correction brand system
Most common invisible correction procedures depend heavily on data from intraoral scans.
2. Conventional orthodontic assistance applications
Intraoral scanners can be utilised for a lot of things, even without invisible correction.
Examining the bite
Archive of Orthodontic Models
Before and after orthodontic treatment, the effects of orthodontics are compared and shown.
Digitalisation offers many benefits when it comes to talking to patients and keeping treatment records.
Ⅴ Use of an intraoral scanner in periodontal and full treatment
1. Help with periodontal therapy
Even though periodontal treatment is mostly based on clinical procedures, intraoral scanners can be utilised for:
Take note of gum recession
Look at changes in the dental arch
Long-term follow-up data comparison
This has some value for managing complicated cases.
2. Full mouth reconstruction and difficult instances
Oral scanners are quite useful in these situations:
Reconstruction of the whole bite
Multidisciplinary integrated therapy (restoration + orthodontics + implants)
A complete diagnosis and treatment plan for high-end patients
Digital models might be a common language for departments to talk to each other.
Ⅵ The role of intraoral scanners in marketing and talking to patients
Intraoral scanners are also useful for communication in clinics, which is something that is easy to forget.
1. Plan for a visual explanation
Show oral problems in real time
Effects that were simulated before and after therapy
Help patients understand and trust better
2. Raise the conversion rate
Digital solutions are more "professional."
Make it easier for patients to get treatment programs that are worth a lot.
Improve how people see the clinic's brand
This is highly crucial for dental clinics who want to be seen as high-end.
