Digital dental impression (scanner)
digital impression · intraoral scan · 3D teeth scan · optical impression
The doctor moves a small scanner around your mouth and gets a 3D model of your teeth on the screen. No impression putty is needed.
For crowns, veneers, inlays, implants, clear aligners and braces, and night guards.
⏱ Duration: usually 5 to 20 minutes; the model appears right away
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Hygiene. Brush your teeth before the visit.
- Food. You can eat beforehand. No special prep is needed.
What to bring
- Your ID
- A referral from your doctor, if you have one
How it goes
- You sit in the dental chair
- Your teeth are dried with air
- The doctor moves the scanner along your upper and lower teeth
- You are asked to bite together to record your bite
- The model is checked on screen, and some areas are scanned again if needed
What you'll feel
- It does not hurt
- The scanner may feel slightly warm
- You need to keep your mouth open for a few minutes
Afterwards
- You can eat and drink right away
- The model is sent to the lab or used for your treatment plan
- The doctor will tell you how long it takes to make your item
Common questions
Is it more accurate than a regular impression?
Usually it is just as good, and for many types of work more accurate. Your doctor decides.
Is there any radiation?
No. The scanner uses light, like a camera.