Do you remember the days when you bit into a tray of sticky, unpleasant dental putty and had to stay still as it hardened? For a great many patients, that used to be the most unpleasant aspect of a visit to the dentist. At House of Smiles Dental & Implant Center in Indiranagar, Bangalore, we have abandoned that method by introducing our new intraoral scanner – and frankly, it has made a real difference to both our patients and our staff.
What Exactly Does an Intraoral Scanner Entail?
An intraoral scanner is a small device in the shape of a wand which captures digital pictures of your teeth and gums. Rather than using messy impression material, we just move the scanner around your mouth and within a short time have a detailed 3D model of your teeth on the screen. There’s no mess, no discomfort, and no need to wait for anything to “set”.
Why It Matters for You
Greater comfort with less time required. Traditional methods may seem bulky and in some cases cause a sensation of gagging. The scanning process is quick, gentle, and much more pleasant—most patients state that they hardly notice it.
Greater accuracy since the scanner records all the details digitally, which reduces the opportunity for the small mistakes that can occur with physical impressions. As a result, crowns, aligners, and other restorations match properly the first time.
You have the opportunity to see your own mouth. Among our favourite features of the scanner is the ability to display the patient’s 3D scan directly on the screen. This greatly helps when explaining the situation and the reason for recommending a specific treatment.
How We Use It in Our Practice
For implants and crowns, the scanner provides us with accurate digital impressions, which we then send directly to the lab—no longer having to deal with physical models being lost or damaged during transportation.
With clear aligners, when people are thinking of getting Invisalign or a similar type of treatment, the scan is the first step in planning their whole course of treatment and thus they are able to preview how their smile might change.
When monitoring is carried out over time, scans can be carried out at regular intervals to keep track of any changes to your teeth and bite, particularly for patients who are being watched for signs of wear caused by grinding or clenching.
When it comes to smile design, since we are able to visualise your teeth digitally, planning cosmetic adjustments becomes simpler and it is possible to show you a preview before we start.
A Small Change That Makes a Big Difference
This kind of technology doesn’t only make our jobs easier it actually improves your experience when you’re in the chair. If you want to see the scanner in action or have any questions regarding how it fits into your treatment plan, please don’t hesitate to ask us at your next visit.
For more information please visit the House of Smiles Dental & Implant Center in Indiranagar, Bangalore at houseofsmilesdental.in.
