An Intra Oral Scanner, or IOS, is a piece of incredibly sophisticated technology that your dentist can use (if they have one) to take a comprehensive 3-D scan of your gums and teeth to get digital impressions. The process involves your dentist passing a small wand (camera) over the inner surfaces of your mouth to capture a complete digital impression of your oral cavity. This information is then transferred to a computer that includes scanner software capable of creating the 3-D rendering.
What Are the Benefits of An Intra Oral Scanner?
Although there are several significant benefits to an IOS, “patient-friendly” may be the best advantage. Remember when your dentist would fill those trays with ‘goop’ that you had to bite down into in order to get an impression of your teeth? Well, those days are long gone, if your dentist has an IOS!
Aside from providing convenience to patients, IOSs are exceptionally useful in creating digital smile designs, i.e., showing you a digital representation of what your new smile could look like, even with orthodontic movement, and prior to any actual work being performed. They can also be used to provide enhanced patient education, more detailed analysis to highlight potential dental issues, more accurately monitor ongoing dental needs, communicate more effectively with specialists, communicate more efficiently with labs for faster turnaround, and showcase treatment outcomes better.
All-in-all, an intra oral scanner is a tremendously valuable tool your dentist can use to provide an elevated level of dental care. However, no tool (no matter how awesome) is a substitute for well-trained, caring people who are passionate about what they do – and for the genuine concern, they have for the wellbeing of the people they care for.
*Dr. Haney is a graduate of, and a mentor for, the KOIS Center for enhanced education and training for dental excellence in Seattle, Washington.
Farragut and Knoxville’s Cosmetic Dentist
As a cosmetic dentist we have the ability to care for our family and restorative patients on a very comprehensive level. Given that cosmetic dentistry provides complete oral health care with an emphasis on preventive and maintenance measures, corrects oral imperfections, and helps to enhance a patient’s overall facial esthetics, we’re extremely detail-oriented and meticulous regarding the caliber of our work and the care we extend to each and every patient.
If there’s anything we can do to help you or your family, whether it’s cosmetic (such as whitening, veneers, implants, bonding or more), family, or restorative in nature, please contact us.
