Traditionally, dental restorations require an individual to have a physical impression of their mouth taken. Impressions are necessary to accurately create an indirect dental restoration, which are restoration made outside of the oral cavity and applied at a later time. Dental crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays are all examples of restorations that require impressions in order to be accurately created.
Gooey impressions are anything but fun; however, they are the traditional way of making custom dental restorations. Thankfully, times have changed and technology has greatly improved. Today, digital impressions may be taken of a patient's mouth that are just as accurate and a much simpler process. Outlined below are a few benefits that come with getting digital impressions for a dental restoration.
The main benefit of digital impressions for dental restorations is that they are much easier than traditional methods. Digital impressions simplify the process. A patient simply has to open their mouth for the images to be taken. It is similar to dental X-rays but without the UV rays. Unlike physical impressions, digital impressions can be done in intervals; a patient can take breaks between images and rest their oral cavity.
Traditional impressions require physical moldings, which are often gooey and cold—not to mention their foul taste and smell. A patient may gag or struggle to keep their mouth open with the putty in their mouth. When digital impressions are used for a dental restoration, there is zero discomfort involved. Instead of having to awkwardly hold one's putty-filled mouth open for an extended period of time, a small camera is used that can easily be removed from the mouth to ensure maximum comfort.
Another benefit of having digital impressions taken prior to getting a dental restoration is that the process is quicker. Digital impressions are instantaneous, meaning the shape, size and form of the tooth or teeth are readily accessible. With traditional impressions, the mold of the oral cavity has to harden and dry before it can be used. This can take a few hours or even up to a day, which can delay the dental lab and make the dental restoration process longer.
When considering a dental restoration of any kind, it is safe to say that impressions will be required. With digital impressions, patients should expect their dentist to use a wand-like tool that has a camera on the end of it. Similar to traditional impressions, digital impressions require the patient to sit still so that the camera can accurately capture every inch of the oral cavity.
When looking for further information on digital impressions for dental restorations, it can be helpful to consult with a dentist. Any concerns or questions you have about digital impressions can be addressed by a dentist. Additionally, a dental professional can provide an explanation for how digital impressions work. Reach out today to learn more or to get started with a consultation appointment.
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