Recent Advances in Digital Impressions

By Adam Hodges, DMD

Commercial Supporter: 3M

One of the most significant current advances of clinical dentistry is in the realm of digital impression devices. The profession is moving away from the days of impression trays full of elastomeric material to direct imaging of the oral environment with increasingly complex machinery. Digital impressions have been shown to be as, if not more, accurate than traditional techniques, and they take less time and increase patient satisfaction. This article will discuss the transition and its impact on how dentistry is practiced. Techniques for achieving accurate digital scans will be described, and current and future trends will be discussed. It should become clear that digital impressions are quickly becoming the standard of care, that digital dentistry is being widely used to produce dental restorations, and the future of this type of care promises to provide better treatment for patients while providing dentists increased operational efficiency.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Discuss the transition to digital dentistry and its impact on how dentistry is practiced

• Describe techniques for achieving accurate digital scans

• Explain the current and future trends in digital impression taking

About the Author

Adam Hodges, DMD
Dr. Hodges is a general dentist in Asheville, North Carolina.