What Are Intraoral Scanners?

Intraoral scanners are handheld digital devices that dentists use to create detailed 3D models of your top and bottom dental arches. Rather than using physical impression putty, these scanners use optical technology to capture thousands of images as your dentist moves a small wand-like device around your mouth.

The technology works by projecting light onto your teeth while cameras in the scanner record how that light bounces back. Advanced software instantly processes this information to create a highly detailed digital model of your teeth that appears on a nearby screen.

These digital models serve as the foundation for your clear aligner treatment plan. They allow your dentist to design aligners that fit your teeth perfectly and move them exactly as planned—a critical factor in achieving successful outcomes.

Traditional Impressions vs. Digital Scanning

The method used to capture your teeth's shape and position significantly impacts your treatment experience and results. Let's compare the three main approaches:

Digital Scanning with Intraoral Scanners

Modern intraoral scanners aren't perfect, but they still offer some advantages over traditional methods. Research shows that patients overwhelmingly prefer digital scanning over traditional impression methods, citing improved comfort and reduced anxiety during the process.

Pros

• More comfortable for the patient.
• Often faster than traditional impressions.
• Immediate results available for review on screen.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Digital 3D models of the current teeth and potential outcomes.

Cons

• Higher equipment costs, which might affect patient pricing.
• Some labs require images from particular scanner brands/models.

Some studies have suggested that digital scans provide comparable or superior accuracy to traditional impressions. This precision is particularly important for complex cases where even small inaccuracies could affect treatment.

Traditional In-Office Impressions

For decades, dentists have relied on plastic trays filled with putty to create impressions of patients' teeth. This approach is effective, but has a few disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros

• They're less expensive than digital scanning equipment.
• A long track record of success.
• Many materials to choose from.

Cons

• Discomfort from bulky trays that might trigger the gag reflex.
• Patients have to leave the trays in their mouth for a few minutes.
• Potential for inaccuracies due to material shrinkage or distortion
• Less environmentally friendly because of disposable materials and trays

These traditional impressions must be sent to a lab for processing, adding time to the treatment timeline and creating opportunities for errors or damage during shipping and handling.

At-Home Impression Kits

Some fully remote, "at-home" aligner companies send impression kits for patients to use at home. This approach might seem convenient, but we don't recommend it.

Creating perfectly accurate dental impressions is difficult for someone who hasn't received any training, and even small inaccuracies in the impressions can throw off your treatment. On top of that, these companies may reject inaccurate impressions, and you'll need to complete the entire process over again, spending more time and money. So it's best to leave the impressions to a professional.

Plus, while impressions can show misalignments, they won't show underlying issues like cavities or gum disease, which patients need to address before clear aligner treatment. Some at-home aligner companies recommend getting an in-person exam before beginning treatment, but they're not always required. Starting treatment without treating underlying issues can make them worse or affect the way your teeth move.

The Advantages of Digital Scanning for Aligner Therapy

The benefits of intraoral scanning extend far beyond just comfort during your initial appointment. The technology impacts every aspect of your clear aligner treatment journey.

Perfect Fit = Better Results

The exceptional accuracy of digital scans translates to aligners that fit perfectly. This fit helps them apply the optimal force to move your teeth as designed. This precision may help teeth move more predictably, reducing the chances that you'll need refinements later on. Additionally, it may make your aligners more comfortable, since ill-fitting aligners can cause pain and irritation.

Even minor fitting issues can reduce this precision, making digital scanning's accuracy a major advantage for treatment success.

Enhanced Treatment Planning

Digital scans provide your dentist with comprehensive data to plan your treatment with unprecedented detail. Using these 3D models, your dentist can:

• Analyze your teeth from every possible angle
• Identify potential challenges before treatment begins
• Create more effective tooth movement sequences
• Show you a simulation of your expected results

This detailed planning is especially valuable for more complex cases. The ability to visualize projected outcomes helps set realistic expectations and allows you to participate in the planning process.

Streamlined Workflow and Treatment

The efficiency of digital scanning extends throughout your treatment process. For example, the dentist can share images of your teeth with the lab instantly, cutting out the time they would have spent mailing physical impressions. This also reduces the risk of impressions being damaged or distorted during transit, which would cause additional delays. Overall, this streamlined process means you can typically start your treatment sooner and with confidence in your treatment plan.

Digital Scanning vs. At-Home Impression Kits: A Comparison

When you compare them side-by-side, it's clear that digital scans, administered by a professional, are more accurate, safer, and less time-intensive than at-home impression kits. This comparison highlights the key differences:

The most critical difference is in the foundation these methods provide for your treatment. Professional digital scanning significantly increases the likelihood of successful outcomes by ensuring your treatment starts with the most accurate possible model of your teeth.

Why Linea Uses Professional Digital Scanning

At Linea, we believe your clear aligner journey should start with precise dental images. That's why our treatment begins with professional digital scanning by experienced dentists, using advanced technology to create the foundation for your successful smile transformation.

Unlike some fully remote brands that rely solely on at-home impression kits, Linea combines the convenience of remote monitoring with the precision of in-office digital scanning. This hybrid approach ensures your aligners fit perfectly from day one, increasing your chances of successful treatment.

When you choose Linea, your treatment starts with a visit to one of our affiliated dentists who will:

• Check your oral health to ensure you're a good candidate for clear aligners.
• Take digital scans of your teeth using advanced intraoral scanners.
• Upload your diagnostic images to Linea's portal for treatment plan creation

Linea's team then uses these precise diagnostics to design your personalized treatment plan and 3D simulation. Your dentist reviews this plan, can make adjustments if needed, and presents your treatment options and expected results. This collaborative approach establishes a solid foundation for your treatment. After your initial appointments, you'll enjoy the convenience of remote monitoring through our app, with fewer in-office visits than traditional orthodontics—giving you the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

The digital revolution in dentistry has transformed clear aligner therapy, and intraoral scanners are a big part of it. From improved comfort during your initial appointment to better-fitting aligners and potentially more efficient treatment, digital scanning enhances most aspects of your teeth-straightening journey.

By choosing a clear aligner provider like Linea that incorporates professional digital scanning, you're setting yourself up for a smoother, more successful path to straighter teeth. Ready to experience the benefits of clear aligner treatment that begins with professional digital scanning? Take Linea's smile assessment today to find out if you're a candidate for our premium clear aligner treatment.