Digital Impressions

Digital impressions use small intraoral scanners to capture a high-resolution, three-dimensional model of teeth and surrounding soft tissues in real time. The scanner records thousands of images or a continuous video that software stitches into an accurate virtual model, eliminating the need for impression trays and setting materials. Because captures are digital, they avoid many of the distortions that can occur with physical materials and laboratory handling.

The digital file preserves spatial relationships, occlusion and surface detail needed for precise restorative design and appliance fabrication. Clinicians can review scans chairside and re-capture any missing areas immediately, improving completeness and reducing repeat visits. Electronic transfer of the file streamlines communication with laboratories and supports a range of fabrication methods, including milling and 3D printing.

Most patients find digital scanning more comfortable than conventional impressions because it removes goopy materials and bulky trays from the process. The scanner’s slim wand is less intrusive and scanning times have decreased with modern systems, making appointments faster and better tolerated by people of all ages. Patients who experience a sensitive gag reflex often report fewer issues during a scan compared with a traditional tray impression.

Because scans are displayed on a monitor as they are captured, patients can see what the clinician sees and better understand the treatment plan. The ability to re-scan immediately when an area is incomplete reduces the likelihood of coming back for a repeat impression. Overall, digital capture tends to reduce anxiety and improve the chairside experience without compromising clinical information.

Digital impressions provide detailed captures of prepared tooth margins, contours and occlusion that support precise prosthetic design and fabrication. This level of detail allows laboratories and in-office milling systems to produce restorations that often require minimal chairside adjustment, which helps protect soft tissues and reduce the risk of recurrent decay. Digital files also eliminate many sources of error associated with material shrinkage or expansion and manual handling.

Because the scans are repeatable and standardized, clinicians can expect greater consistency across cases and fewer remakes in many restorative workflows. Electronic archiving of scans enables quick retrieval for future restorations or comparative treatment planning. Integration with CAD/CAM and implant planning tools further enhances predictability and long-term outcomes.

Yes, digital impressions are suitable for a wide range of prosthetic and orthodontic applications, including crowns, bridges, implant restorations and aligner therapy. Modern scanning systems capture the level of detail required for margin definition, occlusal relationships and implant analogs, allowing accurate design whether the restoration is milled in-office or fabricated by a lab. For implant cases, scanned files can be combined with implant planning software to coordinate surgical and prosthetic steps.

Orthodontic workflows commonly rely on digital captures to design clear aligners and retainers with predictable fit and tracking. Laboratories that accept digital files can fabricate appliances using milling or additive manufacturing methods while maintaining consistent standards. Clinicians should evaluate each case individually to confirm that intraoral scanning will meet the specific restorative or orthodontic requirements.

When a practice is equipped with chairside CAD/CAM and milling systems, a digital impression can feed directly into design software to produce same-day restorations such as ceramic crowns and onlays. This workflow reduces the need for provisional restorations and shortens the overall treatment timeline for appropriate cases. The digital file streamlines the transition from capture to design and milling, enabling predictable fabrication in a single visit.

Chairside workflows still require careful case selection, accurate margin capture and proper occlusal records to ensure a durable result. The clinician remains responsible for verification of fit, occlusion and esthetics before final delivery. Integration with other digital records, such as intraoral photography and radiographs, supports comprehensive planning for same-day care.

Preparation for a digital impression appointment is simple: continue regular oral hygiene and bring any removable appliances, such as dentures or retainers, so the clinician can assess how they interact with your natural dentition. If you have a sensitive gag reflex or difficulty sitting for extended periods, mention this when scheduling so the team can accommodate you and explain positioning options. Good soft-tissue health and clear access to the teeth being scanned help produce the most accurate capture.

During the appointment the clinician may ask you to reposition or bite in certain ways so occlusion and spatial relationships are recorded correctly. Real-time visualization on the monitor allows the clinician to confirm completeness and re-scan any missed areas immediately. After capture, the team will explain next steps and approximate timelines for design and delivery based on whether the restoration is made in-office or by an external laboratory.

Digital impressions are stored electronically as part of the patient’s clinical record and can be archived for future reference, comparison or additional fabrication. Because the files are non-degradable, clinicians can retrieve and reuse them to design new restorations or appliances without repeating the impression process. This archival capability supports long-term treatment planning and simplifies follow-up care when additional work is needed.

Electronic storage also enables efficient collaboration with laboratories and specialists by transmitting standardized files rather than physical models. When adjustments or clarifications are required, the digital file can be re-shared instantly, accelerating the communication loop. Secure retention practices are important to protect patient privacy and ensure files remain accessible over time.

If a scan misses an area or the clinician detects an artifact, they can re-scan the specific region immediately while the patient is still in the chair. Real-time visualization helps the operator identify gaps and correct them on the spot, which reduces the need for a separate appointment. Most systems allow trimming and merging of captured segments so the final file is continuous and accurate.

When rescanning is required, the process is typically fast and well tolerated because only small areas need recapture. The clinician will verify margin integrity and occlusion before finalizing the file to ensure the laboratory or CAD/CAM system receives a complete dataset. This immediate quality check improves predictability and reduces the incidence of remakes.

Digital scans provide an interactive, visual representation of the mouth that clinicians can use to explain findings, demonstrate problem areas and illustrate how proposed restorations will fit. Being able to show a patient the three-dimensional model enhances understanding and empowers informed decision-making. Visual explanations are especially helpful for complex restorative or implant cases where spatial relationships are critical.

For multidisciplinary cases, the digital record facilitates clearer communication among general dentists, specialists and dental laboratories by providing a single, precise reference. Electronic transfer of annotated files and images reduces misunderstandings and expedites collaborative planning. Patients benefit from a transparent process and a clearer sense of the steps involved in their care.

While digital impressions are highly versatile, there are clinical situations where traditional impressions remain useful, such as when extreme subgingival margins are present or when access and moisture control make optical capture difficult. Some laboratories or specific materials may still require a conventional model, so clinicians evaluate each case to determine the most appropriate capture method. Patient anatomy, soft-tissue conditions and the clinical goal influence the decision between digital and traditional techniques.

Advances in scanning technology continue to expand the indications for digital capture, and many practices now rely on a hybrid approach that uses the best method for each case. When a traditional impression is necessary, clinicians follow established protocols to minimize distortion and ensure accurate transfer to the laboratory. Discussing the options with your provider helps ensure the chosen method aligns with your treatment objectives.

At Chadha & Co Dental, digital impressions are used as part of a patient-centered workflow that emphasizes comfort, accuracy and efficient communication. Scans are reviewed chairside so clinicians can confirm completeness and discuss treatment steps with patients using the three-dimensional model. When appropriate, digital files are sent electronically to trusted laboratories or fed into in-office CAD/CAM systems for timely restoration fabrication.

The practice integrates digital scanning with other technologies such as intraoral photography, digital radiography and implant planning tools to support comprehensive treatment planning. Electronic archiving of scans helps with future restorative needs and long-term care coordination. If you have questions about how digital impressions may apply to your treatment, the team can explain the process and how it benefits your specific case.