Many that undergo dental procedures dread having to make impressions. If an implant, crown, retainer, bridge, or other dental appliance is needed, the old way was, to say the least, messy. Now, you may no longer need to bite down on a gooey impression plate when you need an impression. Read on to find out about how dental impressions have evolved to make things far more pleasant for dental patients.
Making The Dental Map
The new way to take dental impressions requires little of the patient. If you can remain fairly still while a tiny camera takes images of your teeth and gums, the job can be performed in just minutes. A digital camera is used to record many images that are then transformed into a precise map of the inside of your mouth. Unlike with gooey dental impressions, this mapping almost never has to be repeated because of errors. Better yet, your dentist has a record of how your teeth looked at any given time and can track changes in tooth movement and gum inflammation, which are all important markers for future problems.
What's So Great About Digital Imaging?
Most people love how easy this process is, but there is more to it than just patient comfort, though that is certainly important. Particularly for those with a weak gag reflex, digital imaging could make the difference in getting treatment and avoiding the dentist. Here are some other great things about dental digital imaging:
- Getting Rid of the Mirror – Rather than straining to see a problem area with a tiny dental mirror, digital images allow patients, hygienists, and dentists to view images of teeth and gums from several different angles. These images can even be viewed comfortably on a tablet or sent to your smartphone.
- Precise and Error-free – These images eliminate the need for return visits because they provide a lasting substitute for your impression. Your new appliance has a far better chance of fitting perfectly right away, and that saves you time.
- It's Fast – Taking impressions involve the patient spending several uncomfortable minutes with a tray in their mouths, but digital images are fast and efficient.
- It's Extremely Accurate – Digital measurements captured at the same time as the image create an impression that is far more accurate than the impression trays of old. That way counted on the patient sitting perfectly still for several minutes, the material used for the impression, and more. This way takes the guesswork out of it and makes the process seamless.
If you want to find out more about digital imaging before your next procedure, talk to a dentist. Look for a dental clinic near you.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!