Dental impressions using 3D digital scanners: virtual becomes reality

Area of Science:

• Dental Technology
• Digital Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) digital scanning technologies, refined over decades, are now integral to dentistry.
• Early dental impressioning digital scanners emerged in the 1980s, with continuous advancements leading to user-friendly in-office systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution and application of 3D digital scanners in dentistry.
• To discuss the capabilities and impact of modern in-office dental scanning systems.
• To highlight the paradigm shift in dental impressioning facilitated by digital technology.

Main Methods:

• Review of technological advancements in 3D dental digital scanning.
• Discussion of in-office scanner capabilities for capturing 3D virtual images of tooth preparations.
• Analysis of systems for direct fabrication (CAD/CAM) and indirect fabrication (master models).

Main Results:

• Modern 3D dental scanners are user-friendly and produce precisely fitting dental restorations.
• These systems capture accurate 3D virtual images essential for fabricating restorations.
• The adoption of these digital scanning systems is rapidly increasing globally.

Conclusions:

• 3D digital scanning represents a paradigm shift in dental impressioning techniques.
• In-office digital scanners offer enhanced efficiency and precision in creating dental restorations.
• The widespread adoption of these technologies is transforming dental practice worldwide.