The Advantages of Intraoral Scanning
The Roundtable video series is a forum for discussion and debate on key topics, trends, and techniques in dentistry. For each edition, Inside Dentistry's editor-in-chief, Robert C. Margeas, DDS, and a panel of experts examine a subject to help expand your knowledge and improve your practice. This month, our panel discusses the advantages of digital intraoral scanning technology.
According to all three panelists, there are major advantages to digital scanning when compared with traditional impression materials. Robert Ritter, DMD, has been scanning digitally for more than 14 years. "It alleviates any issues that may come up with traditional materials, like redoing impressions, issues with shipping to the laboratory, and voids and tears in the material," he says. "For me, digital scanning is a very streamlined, reproducible, and predictable procedure."
Edward Shellard, DMD, agrees and notes that there are huge advantages, especially as workflows continue to be improved. "Digital scanners started off being used as single-unit, crown-and-bridge impression-taking devices and now are being used to take impressions for clear aligners, digital dentures, sleep apnea appliances, and more."
The panel discusses how digital scanning facilitates improved and more visual patient communication but also notes how it can help the dentist-technician relationship. G. Franklin Shull, DMD, explains that his technician was the one who told him to look into digital scanning and says that it immediately made laboratory communication easier and the workflow more efficient and accurate. "Everything from getting cases there quicker to basic shade mapping on early units was really nice," he says. "It made something very complex, very simple."
To conclude, the panel agrees that, although most-if not all-scanners on the market are fast and accurate, there are many other features that clinicians should consider when investing.
Watch the full video on AEGIS TV at aegistv.com.
What You'll Learn
Advances in digital intraoral scanning technology
How intraoral scanning can streamline communication between practitioners and laboratories
Using technology as a practice differentiator
Meet the Panel
Robert Ritter, DMD, maintains a general and cosmetic dentistry practice in Jupiter, Florida, and has been speaking nationally and internationally for more than 20 years on topics such as dental technology and social media for the dental practice.
Edward Shellard, DMD, is the chief dental officer at Carestream Dental. He ran a general dental practice before entering corporate management and later serving as an adjunct associate professor at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
G. Franklin Shull, DMD, maintains a private practice in Lexington, South Carolina. He is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a faculty member at Palmetto Health Richland and the Pankey Institute.
