Digital impressions replace traditional putty-and-tray molds with a precise, computer-generated model of your teeth and surrounding tissues. Using an intraoral scanner, the clinician captures a series of high-resolution images that software stitches together into a three-dimensional representation. That 3D model can be inspected immediately on-screen, rotated from multiple angles, and measured with tools that reveal even small discrepancies that are difficult to detect by eye.
The process is rooted in optical imaging and advanced software algorithms rather than manual casting. As the scanner moves across the teeth, it records surface textures and spatial relationships in real time. This means the digital model can reflect occlusion, margin lines, and soft-tissue contours that are critical for precise restorations, aligners, and implant planning.
For patients and clinicians alike, the result is a more transparent and controlled foundation for care. Clinicians can review and, if necessary, refine the scan immediately, reducing the likelihood of remakes or unexpected adjustments later in treatment. That predictability benefits restorative outcomes and overall treatment planning.
One of the most noticeable differences for patients is comfort. Traditional impressions often require setting unfamiliar materials in the mouth for several minutes — a source of gagging, anxiety, or lingering discomfort for many people. Intraoral scanning is noninvasive and significantly shorter in duration, which translates into a calmer, more positive visit.
Because the scanning workflow allows immediate review and retakes of imperfect areas, there’s less need for repeat appointments caused by flawed impressions. Patients spend less chair time, and clinicians can focus on explanation and education while the scan is displayed on-screen — helping patients understand the treatment steps and see the anatomy being captured.
Scanning also supports patients with special needs or strong gag reflexes. The compact wand moves quickly and avoids the bulk and pressure of trays, making restorative and orthodontic diagnostics more accessible to a broader range of people.
Digital impressions offer a level of consistency that materially improves the precision of crowns, bridges, inlays, and other restorations. The digital file preserves fine details like margin definition and surface texture, enabling laboratories and in-office milling systems to fabricate restorations that fit more closely on the first try. That close fit helps protect adjacent tooth structure and supports long-term success.
When combined with software-driven treatment planning, digital models can be used for diagnostic wax-ups, virtual smile design, and implant surgical guides. This integration allows clinicians to simulate outcomes before irreversible steps are taken, providing a clearer path from diagnosis to final restoration while reducing surprises during treatment.
Because the files are digital, clinicians can archive and compare scans over time. Monitoring changes in tooth position, wear, or soft-tissue health becomes easier and more objective, supporting preventive decision-making and more informed clinical judgments.
One of the practical advantages of digital impressions is the speed and reliability of transmission. Rather than shipping physical impressions or stone models, the digital file is sent electronically to the dental laboratory or to an in-office CAD/CAM system. That reduces the risk of distortion, shipping damage, or delays and often shortens the time required to receive a finished restoration.
Digital workflows also improve communication. With a shared 3D model, laboratories can mark adjustments, propose changes, and return feedback directly on the same file. This two-way exchange reduces ambiguity and helps ensure the laboratory and the clinician are aligned on margins, shades, and occlusal contacts before fabrication begins.
For practices that use in-office milling or same-day ceramic systems, the digital workflow can bypass traditional lab steps entirely. Even when an outside lab is involved, electronic files make coordination more efficient, turning what used to be a multi-step logistical process into a largely digital exchange.
Digital impressions are a key enabler of same-day restorative dentistry. When paired with chairside CAD/CAM systems, the digital scan becomes the immediate blueprint for design and fabrication. Patients who once needed multiple visits for temporaries and final crowns can often receive a finished ceramic restoration in a single appointment, when clinically appropriate.
Beyond crowns, scans support a wide variety of digital treatments — from custom night guards and orthodontic aligners to implant planning and digital bite analysis. The same digital dataset can be repurposed for multiple applications, allowing the practice to coordinate multidisciplinary care without repeated traditional impressions.
Because the digital model is precise and immediately available, clinicians can make restorative and esthetic decisions more confidently during the appointment. That flexibility supports efficient treatment sequencing and helps the clinician deliver care that aligns with patient goals and clinical objectives.
Summary: Digital impressions modernize the way we capture the mouth, offering greater comfort, improved accuracy, and faster collaboration between the dental office and the laboratory. At the office of William L. Krell, DDS, MAGD, we incorporate these digital tools to enhance the predictability of restorations and the overall patient experience. Contact us to learn more about how digital impressions may fit into your care plan and what to expect at your next appointment.
Digital impressions replace traditional putty-and-tray molds with a series of high-resolution optical images captured by an intraoral scanner. These images are stitched together by software to produce a three-dimensional model that shows tooth shape, margin lines and surrounding soft tissue. The clinician can inspect, rotate and measure the model on-screen immediately, improving visualization during diagnosis and planning.
The process relies on precise optical imaging and advanced algorithms rather than manual casting, so small discrepancies that are hard to see by eye become evident. Digital files can be used for restorations, aligners and implant planning, and they can be archived for future comparison. Immediate review and retake capability reduces the likelihood of remakes and unexpected adjustments later in treatment.
Digital scanning is noninvasive and generally much quicker than traditional impressions, which often require bulky trays and setting materials that sit in the mouth for several minutes. The compact scanner wand moves smoothly across the teeth and avoids the gag-inducing bulk and pressure associated with conventional impressions. For patients with a strong gag reflex, special needs or dental anxiety, the scanning workflow is typically more comfortable and less stressful.
Because clinicians can review scans instantly and correct any imperfect areas immediately, there is less chance of needing repeat appointments due to flawed impressions. This reduces overall chair time and allows the clinician to focus on patient education while showing the scan on-screen. The visual feedback also helps patients better understand their anatomy and proposed treatment steps.
Yes. Modern intraoral scanners capture fine surface detail and spatial relationships that are critical for precise restorations, including margin definition and occlusal contacts. The resulting digital files can be sent to laboratories or used with in-office CAD/CAM milling systems to fabricate restorations that fit more closely on the first try.
Digital models also integrate with treatment-planning software for diagnostic wax-ups, virtual smile design and implant surgical guides, which increases restorative predictability. Clinicians can archive scans and compare them over time to monitor changes in tooth position, wear or soft-tissue health, supporting more objective clinical decisions.
When paired with chairside CAD/CAM systems, digital impressions often serve as the immediate blueprint for design and fabrication, making same-day crowns and veneers possible in many cases. The digital workflow eliminates several logistical steps associated with traditional impressions and can shorten the time between preparation and final restoration. This capability is especially valuable for single crowns and limited restorations where clinically appropriate.
Not every case is suitable for same-day treatment; complex rehabilitations, extensive shade matching or lab-specific protocols may still require conventional lab collaboration. Even when a restoration is sent to an outside lab, the digital file speeds communication and reduces the risk of distortion or shipping delays, improving overall turnaround and predictability.
Scan time depends on the scope of the work: a single-tooth or quadrant scan may take only a few minutes, while a full-arch scan naturally requires more time. The clinician will guide a small wand around the teeth while capturing images, and you may be invited to bite down briefly to record occlusion. Most patients find the experience quick and comfortable compared with traditional impressions.
After scanning, the clinician reviews the model on-screen and can refine any areas that need more detail before finishing. The digital file is then used for restoration design, appliance fabrication or shared with a laboratory, and it can be archived for future comparisons. You will be informed about next steps and how the scan will be applied to your treatment plan.
Intraoral scanners use optical imaging to capture surface detail; they do not emit ionizing radiation and are considered safe and noninvasive for routine dental imaging. The process involves only external surface scanning of teeth and soft tissues, with no exposure beyond familiar intraoral examination. Scanning is well tolerated by patients of all ages when performed by trained clinicians.
Digital impression files are stored and transmitted electronically, so practices follow standard privacy and security protocols to protect patient information. Laboratories and clinicians typically use secure channels for file transfer, and patients may request information about record retention and data-sharing practices during their visit. If you have specific privacy concerns, the dental team can explain how your records are handled.
Digital impressions are suitable for most restorative, orthodontic and implant workflows, but there are occasional clinical situations where traditional impressions or physical models remain useful. Extremely large, complex full-mouth rehabilitations, unique laboratory preferences or cases requiring specific analog techniques may still call for conventional methods. The choice is made on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best clinical outcome.
Many practices use a hybrid approach when appropriate, combining digital scans with selective conventional techniques to capture challenging areas. Your clinician will evaluate the specific requirements of your treatment and recommend the approach that provides the greatest accuracy and long-term predictability.
Digital files are transmitted electronically, which speeds delivery and eliminates the risks of distortion or damage that can occur during shipping of physical impressions. Laboratories can view, annotate and return feedback directly on the same 3D model, improving clarity around margins, occlusal contacts and proposed adjustments. This two-way digital exchange reduces ambiguity and streamlines fabrication steps.
The improved communication also facilitates shade mapping, customization and iterative collaboration between the clinician and lab technician. When a practice has in-office milling capabilities, the same digital data can be used immediately to produce restorations, further shortening the workflow and improving consistency.
Scans provide accurate digital models for designing aligners, retainers, night guards and athletic mouthguards, ensuring better fit and function compared with some traditional workflows. The digital dataset can be used to fabricate a wide range of appliances and to simulate tooth movement in orthodontic planning. Consistent digital records make it easier to track changes and verify appliance fit over time.
Because the same scan can be repurposed for multiple applications, patients avoid repeated impressions when they need different appliances or adjunctive treatments. This flexibility improves coordination across disciplines and helps the clinician and lab deliver appliances that meet clinical and patient-specific needs.
Look for a practice that pairs modern scanning technology with experienced clinical expertise and thoughtful treatment planning. At the office of William L. Krell, DDS, MAGD, we combine advanced digital tools with four decades of clinical experience to improve restorative predictability and patient comfort. A skilled clinician will explain how scans are used in your specific care plan and how they contribute to accurate outcomes.
During a consultation, ask about the specific scanner and CAD/CAM systems the practice uses, how files are shared with the laboratory and how scans are archived for future comparisons. Clear communication about workflow, expected timelines and clinical indications will help you understand the role digital impressions play in delivering efficient, predictable dental care.
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