If you’re a dental professional, you’re no stranger to the importance of accuracy. But achieving it has never been easier, thanks to the digital dental scanner. This device is revolutionizing the way dentists and labs operate by scanning faster, cleaner, and more accurately. From crowns to implants, digital scanners cut hours off processing time while enhancing outcomes. In this article, you will find out what is a digital dental scanner, its various types, its important features, and how to select the best one. We’ll also discuss its practical applications and why Aidite dental scanners are worth your attention.
What is a Digital Dental Scanner?
A digital dental scanner is a tool that takes a precise 3D image of the patient’s teeth, gums, and bite with optical or laser technology. Rather than employing uncomfortable trays and messy materials to make impressions, a scanner offers a fast, comfortable, and precise alternative. The digital file generated can be directly used with CAD/CAM software for crown, bridge, denture, and other designs. These files are simple to share with dental laboratories or utilize for in-house fabrication. This enhances communication and accelerates the workflow and overall treatment quality.
Types of Digital Dental Scanners
Selecting the proper scanner begins with understanding what’s available. Each type is used for a particular purpose:
- Intraoral Scanners: These are portable scanners placed directly in a patient’s mouth. They’re best for chairside scanning during consultations or treatment. They enable dentists to take details easily and comfortably.
- Desktop Scanners: Primarily found in dental laboratories, these scanners scan stone models or hard impressions. They’re handy when converting traditional impressions into digital processes.
- CBCT (Cone Beam CT) Scanners: These scanners produce 3D images of not just the teeth but also the bone and tissues around them. They’re typically used to plan implants or complicated restorations.
All three have different benefits based on your clinic setup and treatment objectives.
Features of Digital Dental Scanners
The top digital dental scanners are recognized by their superior features. These features not only simplify the scanning process but also deliver improved treatment outcomes:
- Real-time Imaging: Observe the area that has been scanned immediately while you are maneuvering the device. This assists in identifying areas that have been missed and guarantees data capture in its entirety.
- Color Capture: Full-color image capture with some scanners is helpful to better identify gum lines, enamel, and dental work.
- Open File Format: Open-format scanners (such as STL or PLY) allow you to use many different CAD software programs and lab systems without being bound to one company.
- High Resolution: The scanner should produce sharp, clear images to prevent misfits and minimize future adjustments.
- Software Integration: It must integrate well with crown, bridge, denture, and implant design software. Margin marking and scan comparison as built-in features are useful.
These functions enhance reliability and decrease chair time for the clinic and patient.
Uses of Digital Dental Scanners
Digital scanners are multi-purpose instruments that can be employed in various treatment modalities. This is how they assist in various procedures:
Crowns and Bridges
A dental scanner for crowns assists in designing crowns and bridges that are more precise. They also reduce adjustment time and remake cases.
Implants
Computer dental digital scanners offer accurate images required for implant placement. This reduces surgical mistakes and provides better-fitting abutments.
Orthodontics (Aligners)
Scanners enable improved tracking of tooth movement and are utilized in the fabrication of clear aligners. They minimize the requirement for physical impressions and accelerate treatment planning.
Dentures
Digital impressions enable dentures that fit better and are more comfortable. It also enables quicker turnaround time with fewer appointments.
Full-mouth Restorations
In full-mouth situations, digital dental scanners assist in planning the treatment effectively. With precise scans, you can closely collaborate with labs to achieve uniform quality in restorations.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Digital Dental Scanner
If you are going to purchase a scanner, do not only consider the cost. Consider the following factors first:
- Ease of Use: The scanner must be simple and easy to use. A high learning curve will hamper adoption.
- Accuracy: The scanner needs to provide very accurate results. This minimizes the likelihood of errors in restorations.
- Compatibility: Make sure it seamlessly integrates with your CAD/CAM software and lab equipment.
- Support and Updates: Good customer support, frequent software updates, and training material are essential for sustained use.
- Maintenance: Ensure the scanner supports auto-calibration and easy cleaning capabilities to ensure that it remains highly efficient.
Going through these considerations will assist you in selecting a scanner that genuinely suits your purposes.
Aidite Dental Scanners
Aidite provides digital dental scanners that are designed to meet actual practice requirements. Below are the features that make them a great pick:
- High Accuracy: Built for taking high-detail images necessary for intricate restorations.
- Software Compatibility: Compatible with popular dental design software.
- Complete Workflow Integration: Works harmoniously with Aidite’s CAD/CAM and zirconia solutions.
- Reliable Support: Customer support and training are available to simplify your transition.
1. Aidite Elegant 3 Intraoral Scanner
The Elegant 3 Intraoral Scanner is engineered to enhance the clinical experience through the ability to take rapid and precise digital impressions. With a weight of around 240g, it is compact in design and provides intelligent features like high-temperature disinfection for up to 100 times, heating anti-fog functionality, and one-key remote control operation. The scan depth of the scanner varies from 2 to 20 mm, and it supports output data formats such as STL and OBJ.
2. Aidite A-IS Pro Desktop Scanner
A-IS Pro Desktop Scanner is a color-texture, high-speed scanning solution for multiple dental applications, such as fixed and removable restorations, implants, and orthodontics. It has a high speed with 8-second occlusion scans and 13–21 seconds for multi-die scans. It captures data with less than 10µm accuracy. It has STL, OBJ, and PLY format support and is connected via USB 3.0.
FAQs About Digital Dental Scanners
What is a digital dental scanner?
It’s a tool that captures 3D images of your mouth to replace traditional impressions.
What types of digital scanners are available?
Intraoral, desktop, and CBCT scanners are most common depending on clinical use.
How to use a dental scanner?
Position the scanner inside the mouth, follow the scanning path, and export the digital model for design and milling.
What is the dental scanner price list?
Prices of digital dental scanners are between $10,000 and $35,000 based on features and brand. Aidite has a competitive offering.
Why use the Aidite dental scanner?
It’s convenient to use, provides precise scans, and is compatible with existing digital systems.
Conclusion
Digital dental scanners have become a staple in modern dental practice. They minimize discomfort, save time, and provide more accurate results compared to traditional impressions. Whether you’re doing a single crown or a full mouth case, a scanner makes your work easier and more predictable. Aidite’s scanners provide a great balance of price and performance, and they are supported by good support and stable features. If you want to improve your workflow and outcome, going digital with a dental scanner—particularly from Aidite, is a good decision for your clinic and patients.