Why Every Case Should Include an Intraoral Scan

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Intraoral scanning provides an easy and predictable method for doctors to integrate digital dentistry into their workflow. As medical professionals increasingly seek ways to reduce costs, free up chair time, and enhance patient care, the popularity of intraoral scanners continues to grow. While many doctors recognize some benefits of using a scanner, some remain unconvinced about the advantages of scanning every patient. However, data shows that over half of all dentists in the United States are currently using an intraoral scanner. Here, we examine the advantages of giving an intraoral scanner a prominent role in any case.

Increased Case Acceptance

Convincing a patient to accept treatment can be a challenge. Treatment planning, urgency, and outcomes can sometimes be difficult for patients to fully understand. However, with intraoral scanners, dentists can visually demonstrate potential issues and discuss the treatment options more actively using a variety of interactive software features. The fastscan.io™ Scanning Solution, for example, includes specialized Medit apps and software — such as crowd favorites Smile Design and Ortho Design, which generate virtual models of what treatment results will look like. The ability to show patients their scans in real-time helps them feel more engaged and take an active role in their treatment decisions. Scanners from iTero also feature TimeLapse, a software feature that extrapolates past and current scans into an animated image that shows oral changes right on the screen. This involvement helps demystify dental procedures and makes the treatment options more tangible, while making patients feel excited about the possibilities, and more likely to commit to treatment acceptance.

Enhanced Accuracy

Part of the reason why intraoral scanners are so popular is because they offer better accuracy over traditional impressions, which significantly improves the quality of dental care. These devices use sophisticated imaging technology to capture detailed, three-dimensional digital impressions of a patient’s mouth — resulting in fewer errors and better margins. This precision is far superior to traditional dental impression methods, which can sometimes result in errors due to material inconsistencies or patient discomfort. In fact, impressions taken using an intraoral scanner reduce crown remakes due to margin issues by 40%^*, fit issues by 33%^* and high occlusion by 27%^*. Once a scan gets sent to a lab, the result is better-fitting restorations, and the reduced likelihood of errors that necessitate remakes. This accuracy benefits the doctor by improving communication with the lab, and benefits the patient by reducing the chance of additional appointments for remakes.

While some dentists may still prefer to use conventional methods for full-arch impressions, the good news is that when they send cases to Glidewell, they can still reap the benefits of higher accuracy through digital technology. With Glidewell Intelligent Manufacturing (IM), physical impressions are digitized through specialized micro-CT scanning technology, and replace the traditional plaster model process with a proprietary virtual plaster experience (VPX) in a highly precise software environment. Dentists can continue to take elastomeric impressions and send cases to Glidewell as they always have. In return, Glidewell customers receive restorations so precise that the traditional plaster model is no longer needed.

Increased Efficiency

The efficiency of intraoral scanners is a significant advantage. Traditional impressions using alginate or similar materials are not only uncomfortable for the patient, but time-consuming as well. Patients have to endure having impression material in their mouths for extended periods, which is always an unpleasant experience. In contrast, non-invasive intraoral scanners can complete a digital scan in just a few minutes. This process is not only faster but also more comfortable for patients. With real-time feedback, the doctor is also able to instantly correct gaps in scan data with the patient in the chair — a feature that is not possible with traditional impressions. The instant nature of scanning also means that doctors can forego traditional shipping methods, resulting in faster turnaround time for cases. This efficiency allows dental practices to handle a higher volume of patients effectively, optimizing the workflow and increasing productivity.

Improved Communication with the Lab

The direct and immediate communication between the dental practice and the lab is another area where intraoral scanners excel. Digital scans can be reviewed and adjusted in real-time, providing a collaborative environment that helps achieve the desired outcomes in less time. If an issue arises with a scan, it can be immediately adjusted on a computer and sent back, avoiding the delays and costs associated with resending physical impressions. Doctors who opt to send their digital impressions to Glidewell for fabrication receive the care and attention from our Centralized Digital Order Processing (CDOP) department to evaluate, verify and prepare intraoral scanning data prior to restoration fabrication. This ensures that the virtual model used in digital restoration design is completely accurate before the fabrication process begins. This streamlined communication ensures that the final products are accurate and meet the patient’s needs, leading to higher satisfaction and fewer clinical complications.

Cost Savings

Adopting intraoral scanning technology brings significant cost advantages. While the initial investment in an intraoral scanner might be high, the long-term savings more than compensate. Consider the materials required for a physical impression: the putty, impression tray, and dispensing gun. Any practice using an intraoral scanner will no longer have to continually spend money on these items. In fact, the savings potential is directly proportional to how often the scanner is being used. Tools such as an ROI calculator can help determine how much money could be saved based on the number of cases completed every month. Dental labs such as Glidewell offer immediate savings of $20 per unit on all-ceramic restorations, screw-retained crowns and custom implant abutments. Doctors can also save $9 on one-way shipping per case. This amounts to a $6,000 increase in profit a year if performing 4 restoration units per week.

In conclusion, integrating an intraoral scanner into every dental appointment not only optimizes the treatment process but also enhances overall patient satisfaction and practice efficiency. From increasing case acceptance by helping patients visualize potential outcomes, to improving the accuracy and quality of dental restorations, the benefits are substantial. Additionally, the convenience and comfort provided to patients, combined with the cost savings and increased efficiency for the practice, make the investment in this technology a wise decision. The continuous use of intraoral scanners promotes a modern, efficient, and patient-friendly dental practice, ensuring that both the dental team and their patients are part of a more dynamic and successful healthcare journey. Therefore, it becomes clear that the inclusion of an intraoral scan should be a standard procedure in all dental appointments to leverage these compelling advantages.

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*Data is based on 28,000 BruxZir® model-less single crowns manufactured digitally by Glidewell from January 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014.

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