Intraoral scanners have been available for decades, but the scanning of implants intraorally instead of taking a conventional elastomeric impression has not been practiced for several reasons: First, the software and dedicated scan bodies were not available, and second, the cost of the available intraoral scanners was very high. With the introduction of more intraoral scanners and the trend to reduce the costs of the hardware in the past couple of years, the use of intraoral scanners to replace a conventional impression has allowed more dentists to incorporate this new technological advance in their practices, and the laboratory to do the
restoration of implants accurately from the intraoral scan.
I recently published an article in collaboration with a local periodontist that explains a new protocol for the intraoral scanning of implants at the periodontist's office. The article appeared in Glidewell's Chairside magazine, and it is available online here: Chairside Volume 11 Issue 1.
This protocol is ideally suited for the general dentist that wants to work with a specialist who places the implants and sends the patient back to the general dentist for restoration. It improves treatment planning, communication and efficiency.
The simplicity of the procedure for the GP is evident by the fact that the only thing the restorative dentist needs to do is deliver the crown. There is no need to order parts like impression copings or schedule chair time to take conventional impressions.
Intraoral scanning will be replacing the conventional impression technique in the future because of the many advantages available with the digital workflow. At present, the price of the equipment seems to be the biggest obstacle to its adoption by more dentists.
West Palm Beach Dentist
Carlos Boudet, DDS DICOI
Website: http://www.boudetdds.comCarlos Boudet, DDS DICOI
Implant Blog: http://www.palm-beach-implants.com
Spanish website: http://www.palmbeachdentist.net
