If you have ever had a dental impression taken, you probably remember the tray of soft, putty-like material held in your mouth while it set. Many dental offices, including Occlura Dental, now also use a different tool for the same job: the 3D intraoral scanner. Patients often ask what it is, how it works and whether it makes a difference. This guide explains the technology in plain language, including what it does well and where traditional impressions still have a place.

What is an intraoral scanner?

An intraoral scanner is a small, handheld wand about the size of an electric toothbrush. The dentist or dental assistant moves it slowly over your teeth and gums. A light source and tiny cameras inside the wand capture thousands of images per second, and software stitches them together into a detailed, three-dimensional digital model of your mouth, which appears on a screen as the scan progresses.

The result is called a digital impression. It serves the same purpose as a traditional impression: giving the dental team and dental laboratory an accurate copy of your teeth to plan and make treatment.

What are dental impressions used for?

Whether digital or traditional, impressions are used for many common treatments, including:

  • Crowns and bridges
  • Inlays and onlays
  • Clear aligners and other orthodontic treatment
  • Retainers
  • Night guards and sports mouthguards
  • Implant restorations
  • Dentures
  • Study models to monitor changes such as tooth wear or shifting over time

What does a scan feel like?

For most people, a scan is simply a matter of keeping the mouth open while the wand moves around the teeth. There is no material to set, no tray to bite into and nothing to taste. The scanner may need to rest briefly against a tooth, and the assistant may gently move the cheek or tongue out of the way. Depending on what is being scanned, it typically takes a few minutes.

Potential benefits of digital impressions

Comfort

Research consistently finds that many patients prefer digital scanning. A 2024 review of 50 studies on intraoral scanners reported that patients experienced less discomfort with scanning compared to traditional alginate impressions. People with a strong gag reflex often find scanning easier to tolerate.

Seeing your own teeth

Because the 3D model appears on a screen, it can be rotated and enlarged. Many patients find it helpful to see worn areas, cracks or crowding from angles they would never see in a mirror.

Fewer retakes of a single area

With a traditional impression, a bubble or distortion can mean redoing the whole impression. With a scan, the operator can usually rescan just the area that needs more detail.

Digital sharing with the lab

A digital file can be sent electronically to a dental laboratory rather than being shipped as a physical model. According to the Institute of Digital Dentistry, this can help streamline communication with the lab and turnaround times.

Is a digital impression more accurate?

This is a common question, and the honest answer is: it depends on the situation. For many everyday treatments, such as single crowns and short bridges, research suggests digital impressions can be comparable in accuracy to well-taken traditional impressions. For larger areas, such as a full arch, accuracy can vary depending on the scanner, the software and the operator’s technique.

What matters most is that the impression, digital or traditional, captures the details your treatment needs. A well-taken conventional impression remains an accurate and reliable method.

Limitations to be aware of

Intraoral scanners are useful tools, but they are not ideal for every situation:

  • Areas below the gum line. Scanners capture what the camera can see. When the edge of a preparation sits well below the gums, or there is bleeding or saliva in the area, a traditional impression may capture the detail more reliably.
  • Limited mouth opening. Someone who cannot open their mouth widely may find the wand hard to position. The 2024 review noted that soft-tissue capture becomes difficult when mouth opening is less than about 20 mm.
  • Technique matters. Like any clinical skill, scanning has a learning curve, and results depend on the experience of the person doing the scan.
  • Not every lab or treatment uses digital files in the same way, so traditional impressions are still widely used.

Digital or traditional: which is better for me?

Both methods have the same goal: an accurate record of your teeth so your treatment fits well. The best choice depends on the treatment, the area involved and your own comfort. If you have a strong gag reflex or have found impressions difficult in the past, let your dental team know before your appointment so they can plan the most comfortable approach for you.

At Occlura Dental, we have an intraoral scanner in the clinic and use traditional impressions when they are the better fit. Your dentist will explain which method is recommended for your treatment and why.

Frequently asked questions

Does an intraoral scan involve radiation?
No. Intraoral scanners use light, not X-rays. They record the surfaces of your teeth and gums but do not show what is inside a tooth or under the gums, which is why X-rays are still needed for diagnosis.

Does a scan hurt?
Scanning is not painful. Some people find keeping their mouth open for a few minutes tiring, and short breaks are always possible.

Can a scan replace a dental exam?
No. A scan is a record of the shape of your teeth. It does not replace a clinical examination and X-rays by a dentist.

Questions about impressions or your treatment?

If you are planning a crown, a night guard, aligners or other treatment and would like to know whether a digital scan is an option for you, we are happy to talk it through. Call Occlura Dental at (905) 851-0075, email care@occluradental.com or request an appointment online. We are at 136 Winges Road, Unit 10, in Woodbridge.

Sources

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for an examination or advice from your dentist.