Digital Impression In Modern Dentistry: The Possibilities And Limitations Of Actual Procedures.. Facing The Challenges.

The traditional method of taking dental impressions is a delicate process, requiring a lot of skill. This makes it more likely that errors will occur. If detected, the patient will have to undergo the unpleasant procedure again. The digital method is fast and precise. When the scan is complete, and with the ability to magnify the image, it is much easier to spot errors. This webinar will also show some hints, tips and tricks how to get around most of the limitations of the scanners, using additional materials, methods and digital equipment.

Modern advances in technology mean that dentists can now create virtual impressions of the hard and soft tissues in the mouth using scanning devices. These digital impressions are highly accurate and can be completed in minutes, with minimum discomfort for the patient.

The traditional method of taking dental impressions is a delicate process, requiring a lot of skill. It involves many more steps than its digital counterpart, and utilizes multiple materials. All of this makes it more likely that errors will occur. The dentist will check for errors in the negative impression, but as it is inverted, unmagnified, spotting errors is more difficult, and if errors are detected, the patient will have to undergo the unpleasant  procedure again.

The digital method is fast and precise. It creates a positive impression when the scan is complete, and with the ability to magnify the image, it is much easier to spot errors. If there are errors, it is quick and easy to re-scan and correct the problem before sending the final impression.

The result  obtained is far quicker, and it is possible to analyze the results of the scan immediately, during the same appointment. If necessary, additional partial scans can easily be made, creating better quality, artefact-less impression.

If an area is missed in the initial digital scan, digital impression systems allow the operator to “patch” the scan without retaking the entire impression. Additional scans can be layered onto the inaccurate, voided image parts for enhanced visual representation. Only the previously missing data is added to the model. The more scans that are added, the more accurate the virtual model; this is exactly the opposite of a traditional physical impression.

From the other hand, there are some limitations in some clinical situations that still keep us doing analog impression procedures. Unstable soft tissue or insufficient hard tissue amount, especially taking impressions of long-span bridges or large/fullarch implant impressions. Other digital impressions limitations are because of the scanner size, the ability to capture only what the scanner can see, and decreased effectiveness when blood, saliva, or contamination are present in the oral cavity. This webinar will also show some hints, tips and tricks how to get around most of the limitations mentioned above, using additional materials and digital equipment.

Digital and traditional impressions offer unique benefits and challenges. Therefore, researching and understanding all the options for traditional and digital impression-taking allows dentists to make the right decision for the  practice.

Learning objectives :

• Learning objective 1: Getting familiar with the role of the scanner  as a part of a digital dentistry workflow in our daily practice
• Learning objective 2: Understanding the philosophy of digital thinking – multiple improvements to the scan during acquisition
• Learning objective 3: Understanding the indications, contra-indications for digital impression taking – where do we have to stop?
• Learning objective 4: Getting familiar with the limitations of the scanners. Hints and tricks hot to go around these limitations.