EBOOK
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIGITAL SCANNERS
Presented in partnership with Introduc on Rapid advancements in digital technology are revolu onizing the way den sts treat their pa ents and run their prac ces. Most U.S. den sts have embraced some level of digital technology, such as computerized prac ce management systems and digital radiography. But concerns about cost and complexity have kept many den sts from adop ng more advanced clinical technology such as digital impression systems. For many U.S. den sts, the decision has been to wait and see what comes next. If you’re one of those den sts who’s s ll wai ng, then this EBook will show you how digital impression technology has evolved to meet the needs of today’s prac cing den sts in terms of flexibility, power and affordability. In the past few years, advances in processing power, interoperability and other trends have converged to make this once exo c technology as simple and affordable as the digital tools most den sts use on a daily basis. Because of these advancements, we believe now is the me to invest in a chair-side digital impressions system.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. A technological evolu on
The advent of Digital scanners are no longer put new levels of accuracy, cu ng-edge technology. The flexibility and control in freestanding earliest digital scanners were clinicians’ hands, while also scanning introduced to the dental office providing unprecedented technology that can in the late 1980s and early op ons. Tools once available 1990s. But these scanners came only as part of a costly bundle be used with bundled with in-office CAD/ can now be purchased mul ple materials, CAM systems and price tags in separately. excess of $100,000, a figure This freestanding scanning labs and milling that put the systems out of technology opens the door to systems is a reach of most den sts. a number of different significant Today, many CAD/CAM workflows for den sts, systems s ll carry a similar price allowing them to choose their breakthrough in tag but digital scanning preferred materials, workflow digital den stry. technology has evolved to and lab or chair-side milling op ons.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. The Tipping Point has arrived
While there will always be New, more affordable scanners bleeding-edge den sts who are removing price barriers, and jump on new technology increasingly flexible workflows because of the “wow factor,” are allowing den sts to create most den sts are prac cal the most appropriate clinicians and business managers who invest only in restora ons for any pa ent solu ons that improve their situa on. clinical care and their bo om With approximately 15 percent line. of general prac oners in the For these den sts, the me U.S. u lizing some kind of digital The 3MTM True Defini on has come. More than 20 years scanning technology, the trend of Scanner supports open STL a er the introduc on of digital “early adopters” is giving way to files, so you can work with scanning, we have arrived at a new wave—pragma cally your lab, design and mill the pping point where digital minded den sts who recognize chairside, or share files with impressions have become the importance of this tool and prac cal for just about any other trusted partners for don’t want to wait any longer to expanded clinical solu ons. prac ce. experience its benefits.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. A world of op ons to match your needs
The development of chairside digital impressions has followed a path similar to other professional and consumer technology.
Just like home computers and digital their pa ents with the materials they custom implant abutments and cameras, early digital impression systems choose. orthodon c appliances. were expensive and offered limited This open communica on also opens The ability to transfer files with any op ons. For many years, the scanners up treatment possibili es far beyond open system also means den sts can were ed to specific CAD systems, and simple crowns. Users of the 3MTM True work with their lab to prescribe their their usefulness was primarily limited to Defini on Scanner, for example, can material of choice for each simple crowns. Like most consumers of share files with any chairside or in-lab restora on. technology products, den sts resisted milling unit that uses STL files, giving This focus on open architecture also being locked into working with proprietary you and your lab almost unlimited means the scanner can be used with a systems. op ons for design, materials and variety of in-office milling systems Today, all of that has changed. We are produc on, based on what’s clinically available today, and it will be able to seeing a commitment to open architecture appropriate for your pa ent. work with systems that will be that allows scanners to communicate with 3M also provides a service—its developed in the future. a variety of in-office and in-lab milling Trusted Connec ons Program—that systems and provides den sts with the provides op mal transfer of files with flexibility to treat the leading providers of
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Flexibility and security
3M collaborates with leading manufacturers to offer 3M™ True comprehensive technical and clinical valida on, ensuring Defini on Scanner customers seamless integra ons to a broad performance and quality that meets your high standards. These range of CAD/CAM, digital implant and orthodon c appliance connec ons provide the benefits of an integrated system without workflows. The Trusted Connec on process includes the drawbacks of a proprietary network.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Benefits of digital impressions
Improved The instant feedback provided by digital scanners makes it nearly impossible to miss an important detail. accuracy While den sts might ship a tradi onal impression to the lab without realizing a void or tear has occurred, the ability to watch the chairside monitor in real me as an impression is being captured lets you or your assistant instantly recognize and correct errors.
This increased accuracy ul mately produces be er-fi ng restora ons, with data showing crowns produced from digital impressions have a be er marginal fit and be er internal adapta on than those made with VPS impression material. 1 ,2
1 Syrek A, Reich G, Ran l D, et al. Clinical evalua on of all-ceramic crowns fabricated from intraoral digital impressions based on the principle of ac ve wavefront sampling. J Dent. 2010;38(7):553-559. 2 Posselt A, Kerschbaum T. Longevity of 2328 chairside Cerec inlays and onlays. Int J Computr Dent. 2002;6(3):231-248.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Benefits of digital impressions
While tradi onal impressions can require 5 to 7 minutes in se ng me 1. Improved alone, experienced users of digital scanners report shaving valuable minutes efficiency from the procedure. 1
Plus, the risk of a retake is virtually eliminated. The me savings are drama c at sea ng as well—one study has shown 33 percent greater efficiency for digitally scanned restora ons.2
Clinicians have also seen drama c reduc ons in remakes using digital impression systems. In fact, 3M reports a 99.7% fit rate since the launch of the product.3 In other words, these sta s cs irrefutably show that digital impression taking helps both scanning and sea ng appointments flow predictably.
1 Fasbinder D. Using digital technology to enhance restora ve den stry. Compend Con n Educ Dent. 2012 Oct;33(9):666-8, 670, 672 passim. 2 Farah JW, Brown L. Comparison of the fit of crowns based on digital impressions with 3M ESPE Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S. vs. tradi onal impressions. The Dental Advisor Research Report. No 22. June 2009. 3 Data provided by 3M.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Benefits of digital impressions
2. Improved lab With a digital impression, you and your lab are on the same page, and both can refer to the same digital record if ques ons come up. communica on If necessary, it is even possible for a lab technician to review the scan 3M™ True Defini on Scanner digital impression files can be used while the pa ent is s ll in the office, giving the lab the opportunity to with any system that accepts STL provide instant feedback on a complex case.1 files, giving you and your lab almost unlimited op ons for The back-and-forth caused by poor impressions or ill-fi ng design, materials and produc on, restora ons is drama cally reduced, thanks to the real- me view that based on what’s clinically appropriate for your pa ent. the scanner affords the den st. When a digital impression is submi ed to the lab, there is no longer any doubt that it is complete and accurate.
1 Alter D. Digital impressions and stereolithographic models. Inside Dental Technology, July 2012.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Benefits of digital impressions
3. Improved The scanning process is preferred over tradi onal impression taking by the vast majority of pa ents.1 pa ent In addi on to increased comfort, digital scanning can also aid in the experience treatment process and help pa ents understand the scope of the work being done.2 With more comfortable, be er-informed pa ents, den sts can enjoy increased reten on and referrals.
4. A stronger An office that has adopted digital technologies is o en a more a rac ve place to work for other dental professionals, as dental team den sts aren’t the only staff members who benefit from digital scanning. Where allowed, assistants have taken on the task of scanning—increasing their own produc vity and further increasing efficiencies in the prac ce.3
1 Farah JW, Brown L. Comparison of the fit of crowns based on digital impressions with 3M ESPE Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S. vs. tradi onal impressions. The Dental Advisor Research Report. No 22. June 2009. 2 Scanlon, J. Say Ahhh (and Watch the Monitor). The New York Times, 9/4/2003. 3 Whipple J, Fuller S. A team approach to digital impressions: Achieving independence and efficiency. Inside Dental Assis ng 2010 March/April. Vol. 6, Iss. 4.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. Benefits of digital impressions
Chairside mill connec ons available through some digital scanners enable 5. Same-day the den st to efficiently create same-day restora ons. den stry While some scanners are marketed as a package with an accompanying CAD/CAM system, a new push toward open architecture is bringing new flexibility to the industry and le ng den sts assemble the system that works best for them.
“ We’ve scanned many, many cases now and they’re just amazing. Everything is working out great.”
Go inside the prac ce of Dr. Jeffrey Cecil to see how his team uses digital impressions to improve efficiency and clinical accuracy.
Watch video
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. In-office milling in 4 steps.
Whether you send your files to a lab or to an in-office milling system, digital impressions drama cally streamline the impression process. Here are the steps for taking an impression for an in-office CAD/CAM milling system using the 3MTM True Defini on scanner.
1. Scan impression 2. Import and design with E4D® Design Center or IOS Technologies’ FastDesign™ CAD Sta on 3. Mill with E4D or TS150™ Milling Solu on and Finish 4. Seat crown
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M. How to know if digital impressions are right for you.
As we have shown in this guide, digital impression systems have reached a number of thresholds that indicate their suitability for mainstream dental prac ces.
• A significant history of prac cal experience and clinical data indicate Take a Free the efficacy of the technology. Assessment • The price point has dropped to an a ainable level for most U.S. den sts. Answer 6 ques ons to • The move toward open architecture means impression systems are no find out if your prac ce longer ed to individual milling systems, offering increased flexibility to is ready for digital den sts and dental labs. den stry. We'll send you a free report to let you Of course, you are the only person who can really determine if digital know how your office impressions are right for your prac ce. But if you have been wai ng for the scores. right me to integrate this powerful technology in your prac ce, then your me has come.
Click here to learn about the True Defini on Scanner from 3M.