Digital Impressions

Digital impressions use an intraoral scanner to capture high-resolution, three-dimensional images of teeth and soft tissues instead of traditional putty-based materials. A small wand records a sequence of images that software stitches into a precise digital model that can be rotated, magnified, and inspected on a monitor. These models are commonly saved in CAD-compatible formats such as STL and are ready for design and fabrication by the clinician or laboratory.

The digital workflow lets clinicians review scans in real time and correct any missing detail immediately, reducing the need for repeat captures. Because the data is inherently digital, it integrates directly with CAD/CAM systems, digital labs, and milling or 3D-printing equipment. This immediate feedback and compatibility help streamline restorative and appliance workflows from diagnosis to delivery.

Digital scanning eliminates the need for bulky impression trays and viscous materials that often provoke gagging, discomfort, or unpleasant tastes for patients. The process is minimally invasive: a wand is gently moved around the mouth while the patient breathes normally and communicates with the clinician throughout the capture. Short capture times and immediate review of the scan further reduce chairside anxiety and exposure to unfamiliar materials.

For patients with a strong gag reflex, medical sensitivities, or dental anxiety, intraoral scanning can make diagnostic and restorative appointments more tolerable without sacrificing accuracy. Scans can also be recalled later for follow-up work, avoiding repeated impressions and additional discomfort. That convenience often translates into a smoother and more positive clinical experience for many patients.

Digital impressions capture a direct optical map of the mouth that does not change once saved, whereas physical impression materials can distort over time, with temperature changes, or during shipping. The dimensional stability of a digital file reduces cumulative errors, which is particularly important for single crowns, multi-unit bridges, and implant-supported restorations where small inaccuracies can compound. High-resolution scan data supports precise margins, occlusion, and contact relationships that reduce chairside adjustments.

Because clinicians can review and annotate scans, communication with dental laboratories and specialists becomes clearer and less ambiguous. This improved coordination lowers the chance of remakes and ensures restorations align closely with the clinician’s plan. Overall, predictable fit and reduced adjustments lead to better long-term clinical outcomes.

Yes. Digital files are transmitted electronically to dental laboratories, eliminating shipping delays associated with physical impressions and stone models. Electronic transfer shortens turnaround times and improves traceability and case documentation, allowing labs to begin design and fabrication sooner. When combined with in-office milling or 3D printing, the same digital dataset can be used to produce provisional or definitive restorations in a single visit when clinically appropriate.

Even when external labs complete the final restoration, the clarity and speed of digital transmission reduce back-and-forth communication and the risk of remakes due to distorted impressions. Practices that adopt a digital-first approach can offer patients fewer appointments and a more seamless path from diagnosis to final restoration. This efficiency benefits both clinical scheduling and patient convenience without compromising quality.

Digital impressions are highly suitable for implant workflows and are often used in conjunction with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to create restorative-driven treatment plans. The fusion of 3D scan data with radiographic imaging supports the design of precise surgical guides and helps align prosthetic goals with implant position. Accurate digital models enable the laboratory and surgical team to previsualize prostheses, optimize occlusion, and anticipate restorative challenges before surgery.

Using digital scans reduces the likelihood of restorative misfit and allows for more predictable implant outcomes when combined with guided surgical techniques. Clinicians can plan implant angulation, depth, and emergence profile relative to existing anatomy and planned restorations. This coordinated approach enhances both surgical safety and the functional and esthetic results of implant therapy.

Digital impressions are a central element of contemporary digital dentistry and integrate smoothly with CAD/CAM design software, in-office milling units, 3D printers, CBCT imaging, and digital occlusal analysis tools. Scans saved in standard file formats can be shared across platforms, allowing multidisciplinary teams to work from the same dataset. This interoperability improves treatment planning, design precision, and collaboration between the clinician, laboratory, and specialists.

Integrated digital data also supports advanced workflows such as smile design, orthodontic simulations, and restorative-driven implant placement. The ability to overlay scan data with radiographic images or occlusal records enhances diagnostic clarity and helps clinicians make more informed decisions. As a result, teams can deliver coordinated care with greater predictability and fewer surprises during delivery.

During a scan, the clinician will use a handheld wand to capture images of your teeth and surrounding tissues while you sit comfortably in the dental chair. The process is quiet and noninvasive, and patients can breathe and speak normally while the clinician reviews the images in real time on a monitor. Scanning time varies by the area being captured, but many routine scans are completed in a matter of minutes with immediate verification for completeness.

If additional detail is needed, the clinician can re-scan specific areas on the spot rather than having the patient undergo a full repeat impression. After capture, the digital file is prepared for design or sent electronically to a laboratory, depending on the planned restoration. Patients will typically experience less discomfort and fewer interruptions than with traditional impression techniques.

While digital impressions are suitable for most restorative and orthodontic cases, there are situations where conventional impressions remain useful, such as when soft-tissue management is exceptionally challenging or when a practice lacks compatible digital workflows. Extremely subgingival margins or active bleeding can sometimes complicate optical capture, requiring careful tissue management or selective use of traditional materials. Additionally, older laboratory protocols or specific prosthetic techniques may still rely on physical models.

That said, advances in scanner technology and clinical techniques have reduced these limitations, and many clinicians address challenging conditions with retraction, hemostatic measures, or combined digital and analog approaches. Clinicians will recommend the most appropriate capture method based on the clinical needs of the case and the desired restorative outcome. The goal remains predictable fit, function, and patient comfort.

Digital impression files become part of the patient’s permanent electronic record and can be archived for future reference, comparison, or staged treatment planning. Stored scans provide a reliable baseline to monitor wear, track orthodontic movement, or plan restorative revisions without repeating imaging. Secure file storage and traceability also support continuity of care when collaborating with laboratories or specialists.

When combined with other digital records such as CBCT scans or intraoral photographs, archived impression data facilitates multidisciplinary planning and more efficient follow-up visits. Clinicians can recall files to design replacement prostheses, evaluate long-term changes, or coordinate complex, phased treatments. Properly managed digital records therefore improve diagnostic insight and treatment predictability over time.

At the office of Dr. Aaron Tropmann & Dr. Gary Oyster, intraoral scanning is integrated into a digital-first approach to restorative and prosthetic dentistry to enhance precision and patient comfort. Digital impressions allow clinicians to verify captures immediately, reduce the need for repeat appointments, and collaborate more clearly with trusted laboratories and specialists. This technology supports efficient workflows for crowns, bridges, implant restorations, and orthodontic appliances while maintaining high standards of clinical accuracy.

By combining attention to detail, modern digital tools, and a patient-centered practice philosophy, our team uses digital impressions to deliver predictable, timely, and comfortable dental care. Patients benefit from fewer adjustments at delivery, clearer communication about treatment plans, and archived records that streamline future procedures. To learn more about how digital impressions may apply to your treatment, please contact the practice for additional information.