Dental care and treatments have evolved over the years. In today’s world, many first-time dental patients will be surprised at the extent of technological advancements that are available to help them maintain oral health and wellness. One of those is the intraoral scanner. Intraoral scanners have been around for some years; however, they are constantly being improved to bring more functionality according to a Wichita orthodontist. If you wish to learn more about Intraoral scanners and their role in improving orthodontic treatments, read below.
What Is An Intraoral Scanner?
Intraoral scanners are used to scan the mouth. These devices provide orthodontists with the information needed about their patient’s teeth. The scanner is designed to provide detailed images of the patient’s teeth and gums thus allowing the orthodontist to take steps that can help with teeth straightening and alignment. Intraoral scanners have contributed immensely to the development of orthodontic practice. This is because they provide an accurate depiction of the patient’s teeth and soft tissues. This accurate information makes treatment for orthodontic problems easier.
How Intraoral Scanners Improve Orthodontic Treatments
Reduces Dental Appointments
Many people are busy and cannot afford to make time to visit their dentist. With intraoral scanners, patients can enjoy a significant reduction in the number of dental appointments needed to perfect their orthodontic treatment. With intraoral scanners, patients who need braces, a mouth guard, diagnostic models, or those who need an impression of their mouth taken can do this easily. The orthodontist relies on this device to offer an accurate account of the patient’s teeth. In addition, the device can also create a 3D rendering of the patient’s teeth thus helping them to get a perfect restorative solution for their dental needs.
With intraoral scanners and the accuracy of their scans, patients will be able to save themselves a few more dental visits that would have been required to get the image perfect.
Faster Treatments
Intraoral scanners have made orthodontic treatments a lot faster than they used to be. With intraoral scanners, orthodontists can get a digital and accurate image of the patient’s dental work thus making it easier and faster to fabricate or plan any orthodontic appliance that is to be installed. This has significantly cut down on the time that it would have taken for the dental impression to be sent to the lab and back. With its instant digital impression, patients can cut back on the time taken to complete a physical impression mold which is usually about two to three weeks, or longer.
Orthodontists who use intraoral scanners can easily take a digital impression of the teeth and use it for digital analysis. This also eliminates the chances of losses or errors as common with physical dental impressions.
An Accurate Fit
Orthodontic patients in the past often complained of injuries or discomfort arising from ill-fitting orthodontic appliances. With intraoral scanners and the detailed images provided, orthodontists have been able to improve on the design and fit of their appliances. Using the 3D images, orthodontists can better plan their patient’s treatments while also taking note of the tiniest detail that can affect the outcome of the treatment. All of these are impossible with physical impressions. Patients may have to pay more money to have their orthodontic appliance re-fitted with physical impressions.
Essentially, with Intraoral scanners and the detailed results, patients stand a better chance of avoiding common risks associated with orthodontic treatments. They can also enjoy a better fit which means lesser treatment times, faster and more accurate treatment results.
Patient Comfort
Undergoing intraoral scanning is a more comfortable experience for most patients compared to physical impressions. Patients who battle tooth sensitivity may have a problem with the physical impression procedure. With intraoral scanners, patients get to enjoy a faster, more accurate, and less invasive procedure. Orthodontists also do the scan in parts to make the patient comfortable. With the scanner attachment being in different sizes, patients can feel more at ease during the scan.
Cost-Effective
Dental treatments are often very expensive. Patients who have to come in regularly may need to pay more for their dental care needs and consultation services. With intraoral scanners, dental patients can cut down on their dental appointments and also the cost of the entire process. Intraoral scanners also provide a more accurate result which means that the patient won’t have to worry about getting another orthodontic treatment to correct the errors in their current orthodontic appliance.
Intraoral scans are also more cost-effective compared to physical impressions because they do not require the usual logistics associated. The cost of a physical impression can sometimes be double or triple that of an intraoral scan.
