In the spring of 2023, we started to use an intra-oral scanner to help us document our patients’ teeth. This is a wireless device that allows us to take 3-D photos of the teeth and gums. Having your mouth scanned is now part of every complete oral exam. The scanner has many functions:
it can be used to educate a patient on what exactly is going on in the mouth
it can be used to monitor wear of the teeth (from attrition, abfractions, erosion or abrasion) and multiple scans can be superimposed to compare changes in time.
it can be used to take images to be sent to a lab for fabrication of appliances like bruxing or clenching niteguards, or tooth restorations like crowns; this eliminates the need for impressions
it can be used to assist the dentist in making good treatment planning decisions for a patient
In the spring of 2023, we started to use an intra-oral scanner to help us document our patients’ teeth. This is a wireless device that allows us to take 3-D photos of the teeth and gums. Having your mouth scanned is now part of every complete oral exam. The scanner has many functions: