The discomfort associated with manual dental impressions is certainly an element that patients have never looked forward to, which is why the introduction of digital impressions has been such a significant milestone in the field.

Dental impressions are moulds of your teeth, providing a basis for the design of your brace and in the past, it was not possible to take these digitally. In many practices traditional impressions are still used though here at Park Lane, we now use the iTero scanner to take digital impressions for all patients.

Difference between digital and traditional (alginate) impressions

Taking traditional impressions requires a steady hand and the likelihood of human error is thrown into the mix, along with material defects such as air bubbles in the material. The digital system eliminates the chance of error, as it does not rely on the patient’s ability to stay as still as possible or the orthodontist’s ability to meticulously apply the impression material to the teeth (the material often induces a gag-reflex in the patient, rendering accuracy less likely than with the digital system). Phobic patients are generally much more at ease with digital impressions as the process is less intimate, takes less time, and involves minimal contact with your teeth.

What are the benefits of digital impressions?

If you would like more information about treatment at Park Lane, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Book a Complimentary Consultation

Our emphasis is not only on the best orthodontic result, but a special focus is placed upon how orthodontic treatment will affect your long-term facial aesthetics.  Why don’t you come and have a complimentary smile scan with our experienced orthodontic therapist and come and see the practice and meet the orthodontic team?