
Digital intraoral 3D dental scanning in orthodontics
Today, digital dental scanning is becoming the gold standard in dentistry, and of course we are keeping up with the times and actively integrating scanning into our daily practice.
Scanning replaces impression taking and provides a quick and distortion-free three-dimensional image of the teeth. In orthodontic practice, these scans are used for clinical diagnosis, detailed planning of orthodontic treatment, and are especially necessary for treatment with eliners (Flexiligner, Invisalign) or digital custom bracket systems (Insignia, Incognito).

Why do we prefer scanning over classic prints?
1. Accuracy.
The image obtained with a digital scanner is significantly superior in quality and accuracy to plaster models of the jaw. With digital scanning, there is no dependence on the quality of the impression mass, adherence to plaster mixing techniques, or the method of casting the model. The absence of these laboratory steps eliminates the possibility of distortions and inaccuracies, and the scanner software instantly identifies «underscanned» areas and assesses the quality of the image obtained.
2. Additional options for bite diagnosis.
In the scanning phase, the program maps the upper and lower dentition to the position of your teeth bowing. This provides the opportunity for additional bite diagnosis and hypercontacts evaluation. Hypercontacts — are premature increased clenching of some teeth due to their misalignment.
3. Visualization of the clinical picture for the patient.
The main advantage of the scanner for the patient — it is visualization. If the orthodontist usually uses photographs of the tooth rows to demonstrate the alignment and position of the teeth, the scanner transfers the information to the screen in 3D. The patient sees how his teeth are clasped from all sides, even from the inside. Hypercontacts are especially visualized during scanning: this is the most visual way to explain why one tooth, for example, is decaying faster than others.
4. Visualization of the treatment result.
The scanner's software enables us to show you the result of your alignment within minutes of scanning. Even before treatment begins, during the diagnostic data collection phase, you will know how your orthodontic treatment will be completed and what your smile will look like.
This is a preliminary result of treatment and may differ from the final result, which is prepared in the dental laboratory and adjusted by the doctor depending on the clinical situation and the diagnostic data obtained. You will see the exact result and the process of tooth movement after creating a virtual set-up.
5. Convenience.
The process of scanning is much more comfortable than the classical method of taking impressions, does not cause gag reflex and other unpleasant sensations. It is especially convenient to use scanning in our young patients, as they tolerate scanning more easily than a spoon with impression material.
6. Quickness of data transfer to the laboratory.
When using the usual method of taking impressions, the data from Russia arrive in the laboratory, within 1-2 weeks (depending on the country in which the laboratory is located, the delivery service and holidays), and the scan data are sent to the laboratory instantly, where immediately begins the stage of data processing and the creation of virtual set-ups (3D modeling of tooth movement). In this way, we significantly shorten the orthodontic appliance manufacturing time and move more quickly to active treatment.


How the dental scanning procedure takes place:
The entire scanning process takes about 15 minutes. First, the orthodontist enters the patient's data into the system, fixes a sterile attachment to the scanner and starts the process itself: the doctor places a soft silicone retractor (in order to push back the lips and cheeks), dries the teeth with air and guides a special attachment with a microcamera along the tooth row. When the image is obtained, the doctor checks its quality and, if necessary, repeats the scanning procedure in some places. After the upper and lower jaw is scanned, the scanner software analyzes the image for a few minutes and saves the data.

Konfidencia scanning:
In our clinic, we perform scans with the best, proven and most accurate equipment on the market. Right now, it's the 3Shape TRIOS 3 with ultra-fast optical sectioning technology that produces HD – images with increased detail in natural colors. This scanner model is compact, mobile, with a small intra-oral camera and allows for fast, high-quality imaging in the format used by all digital laboratories around the world.
Digital scanning allows us to make more thorough diagnoses, create the most detailed treatment plans and clearly tell patients what will happen during treatment. Our goal is to do away with conventional, analog impressions altogether and, thanks to scanning, to provide orthodontic treatment on a qualitatively new and improved level.

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