Digital Scans for Dental Crowns: What to Expect

What Happens During a Digital Crown Scan

Your dentist starts by preparing the tooth so the crown will fit right. Then the scanner is gently moved around the area taking small pictures as it goes. The software puts all those images together to create a model of your teeth. This gives the team a clear picture of the shape they need to work with.

You don’t feel much all. The scanner doesn’t touch the tooth like an impression tray does. The whole process is usually simple and easy. You might need to keep your mouth open for a time but that’s about it.

Why the Scan Matters

A crown must fit tightly against the tooth. If the shape is slightly wrong your dentist may have to adjust it later. A digital scan gives the lab a model to use. That means the crown can be made to match the shape of your mouth.

Digital Scans vs Traditional Impressions

With a scan the dentist can rescan a part of the mouth if something isn’t clear. There’s no need to start the impression over again just because one small section didn’t come out well.

• There is no impression tray in your mouth. That’s probably the part most patients will appreciate the most.

• The scan shows up on a screen away so your dentist can check it. No guessing what the impression captured.

• For people with a gag reflex this is much easier. That’s a benefit.

Does It Hurt?

The scan itself doesn’t hurt. The scanner is moved around your teeth while the software takes images. If your tooth has been prepared for a crown you might feel some sensitivity from that treatment.. The scanning process is not what causes the discomfort.

So if you’re worried about the scanner don’t be. The preparation is usually the part that feels more noticeable.

What Happens After the Scan?

Once the scan is done the digital file is sent to the lab. The lab uses that information to design the crown to fit the tooth. Your dentist can also use the model when checking how the crown fits later.

In some clinics digital scanning is part of a digital process. That can make everything feel more connected because the scan goes into the design stage instead of being made into a physical model first.

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