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An Impression You Won’t Choke On!

January 12, 2015

Traditional Impression Technology

In 1984 the first “digital” impression was introduced into the world of dentistry.  This meant that instead of having to fill a patients mouth with impression materials, digital images could be taken with a miniature camera and once stitched together, could be used to fabricate a model on which a crown or bridge could be made. This was a real advantage because the patient wouldn’t be drooling and/or choking on the impression material waiting for it to set up,  a process normally taking 3-5 minutes!  On the other hand, the scanners at the time were very expensive and many doctors felt these first prototypes were not as accurate at the impression materials were.

Digital Imaging Impressions Today

Fast Forward to today.  Along with the advances in computer technology, computer imaging has progressed by leaps and bounds.  Along with this, the number of competitive dental imaging companies has exploded.  Now, instead of taking images of just one tooth, we can scan full arches.  Two methods are now in use and competing with each other.  One, takes still images and “stitches” together these images into a data base that can be transmitted over the internet to the lab for model fabrication to make a crown, bridge or , , , , ,