The intraoral scanner market is forecasted to rise to 754.7 million USD1 by the end of 2026. Over the last 5 years, companies have upgraded their technology to keep pace with the growing demands of the dental industry. As a result of which, today numerous scanner brands are available at a competitive price example iTero element, 3Shape, Carestream, CEREC, Planmeca, 3M True Definition, etc.

While you may believe that an intraoral scanner is just an alternative to traditional impressions, there are plenty of benefits it offers for your practice. Let’s explore the reasons why switching to an intraoral scanner would serve you better in the long run.

1. Digital Impressions- Superior to physical impressions

 Intraoral scanners work on the principle of scanning and capturing data, unlike traditional impressions which require an impression material to be placed in the mouth. The result is a digital impression that is accurate, fast, easy, and more comfortable to the patient. It also comes in handy for patients with a gag reflex. The use of intraoral scanners extends from crown and bridge cases to implants, aligners, and removables as well.

2. See as you scan

Certain challenging cases may need tooth preparation modification in the problem areas. With an intraoral scanner, you can easily spot if a finish line needs to be defined better or your tooth has limited occlusal clearance. These tools enable you to modify and rescan your preparations in the same visit before sending the scan to the laboratory. Also, missing areas in the impression can be added without redoing the entire scan. As a result of this, your rework time and additional patient visits are significantly reduced.

3. Faster turnaround with easy lab communication

A traditional impression requires pickup and transportation whereas intraoral scans are digital files that are sent to your dental lab instantly. Not only does it allow easy communication with your dental lab but also cuts down on the time required for prosthesis fabrication.

4. Reduced Manual Intervention

“A prosthesis that doesn’t FIT’ is a nightmare for all clinicians, the reason for which can be attributed to multiple factors ranging from a flawed impression technique to technical errors by the lab. By eliminating manual steps, intraoral scans give you smooth workflows that result in prostheses with a precise fit. A digital scan file (commonly sent as .stl file) combined with a complete CAD-CAM workflow ensures a predictable restoration with greater accuracy.

5. A greener alternative that saves costs

Investing in an intraoral scanner does away with the restocking of consumables like impression materials, trays, etc. Also, the storage space of physical models poses a constant challenge especially in dental offices with limited storage space. Today, a lot of dental labs have adopted the model-less protocol that is environmentally friendly and cuts down on the use of plaster and packaging material.

6. An intraoral scan for EVERY PATIENT

If you think, the use of an intraoral scanner is only limited to select cases, then here’s some good news. An intraoral scanner enables the patient to visualize his dentition on screen in a 3-dimensional view. This allows greater understanding and interpretation of his dental problems and improves case acceptance. Whether it’s a smile design or an orthodontic case, let the intraoral scanner serve as a powerful consultation tool to diagnose and simulate treatment plans.

Intraoral scanners are an emerging trend in dentistry that bring about an increase in the overall efficiency of your dental practice. Choosing an intraoral scanner that suits your practice requires adequate research and time. By saving chairside time, allowing you to see more patients, and enhancing the standard of patient care it’s indeed a rewarding investment.

 Do you own an intra-oral scanner? Send us your .stl file and incorporate digital workflows into your practice today.

References:

1.https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/intraoral-scanner-market-size-2021-by-share-application-leading-players-update-region-market-estimate-project-economics-pricing-analysis-opportunities-and-forecast-2026-2021-02-17