Digital impressions in [city], [st]

At [practice_name] in [city], [st], digital impressions replace traditional trays and putty with a fast, comfortable 3D scan. This technology captures an accurate model of your teeth and gums for crowns, bridges, implants, clear aligners, retainers, and more. Patients in [city], Utah often ask what digital impressions are, how they work, and why they are used. The guide below answers those questions in a clear, step-by-step way.

Digital impressions explained

Digital impressions use a small handheld intraoral scanner to take thousands of images of your mouth in seconds. Specialized software stitches these images into a precise 3D model. The result is a detailed digital replica of your bite that can be viewed from any angle, shared with a dental lab, or used with in-office design tools. Compared with traditional impressions, this approach is cleaner, quicker, and often more accurate, especially for complex cases.

Because the scan is digital, the model can be refined in real time. If an area needs more detail, the scanner simply passes over that spot again. This flexibility supports high accuracy for treatments such as single crowns, multi-unit bridges, implant restorations, night guards, and orthodontic planning. Many patients find the process much easier than holding impression material in the mouth.

Benefits of digital impressions

• Improved accuracy reduces the chance of distortions that can occur with traditional impressions.
• Greater comfort with no trays, sticky materials, or prolonged gag reflex triggers.
• Faster appointments because scans capture data quickly and can be sent to the lab instantly.
• Fewer remakes and adjustments thanks to precise margin capture and detailed bite records.
• Clear communication as the 3D model helps explain findings and planned treatment.
• Eco-friendly workflow that reduces shipping and disposable materials.

How digital impressions work

The scanning process is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes. If you are curious about how digital dental impressions work from start to finish, here is a simple overview.

• Preparation: Teeth are dried, and soft tissue is gently retracted to reveal key areas.
• Scanning: A small wand is moved over the teeth to capture detailed images using visible light.
• Bite records: Quick scans of how your upper and lower teeth fit together establish your bite.
• Review: The 3D model appears on the screen immediately for quality checks and any touch-ups.
• Design and fabrication: The file is securely sent to a dental lab or used in digital design software to create your restoration or aligner plan.

Your appointment: what to expect

Most scans take only 2 to 5 minutes per arch, depending on the complexity of your case. You can breathe and swallow normally during the scan, and there is no mess to clean up afterward. Digital impressions use visible light, not radiation, so the process is safe for most patients, including those who are pregnant. If you have a strong gag reflex, you may find the experience far more comfortable than traditional impressions.

After the scan, you will see a high-resolution 3D model of your teeth. This visual helps explain any issues, such as worn enamel, fractured cusps, or crowding. For crowns, bridges, and implant restorations, accurate margins and contours are captured to support a precise fit. For orthodontic care, the model aids in planning clear aligners and retainers and in tracking treatment progress over time. If you are comparing digital vs traditional impressions, many patients prefer the speed and comfort of the digital method.

To prepare, brush and floss before your visit, remove removable appliances, and let the team know about any sensitivity or gag concerns. Most patients can return to normal activities right away because the scan is noninvasive.