Inside Intraoral Scanners: A Dentist’s Digital Upgrade

Intraoral scanners (IOS) have evolved far beyond their original purpose of simply capturing digital impressions to replace conventional impression materials. Modern IOS devices combine advanced imaging technologies, powerful data processing algorithms, and integration with digital dentistry platforms, which together allow them to serve as multifunctional tools that support diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient communication. As a result, they are now considered a central component of digital workflows in many dental practices and institutions.

⚙️ Technical Innovations Driving Accuracy and Efficiency

The most recent generations of intraoral scanners use continuous image acquisition combined with sophisticated stitching algorithms, enabling clinicians to capture three-dimensional representations of teeth and soft tissues with unprecedented speed and accuracy. These improvements reduce operator fatigue, minimize errors in capturing complex geometries, and allow for full-arch scans that are more reliable than before. Furthermore, intraoral scanners are increasingly integrated with CAD/CAM systems, which makes it possible to move seamlessly from impression-taking to the fabrication of prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, and aligners, thereby streamlining the entire clinical workflow.

Enhancing the Patient Experience

For patients, intraoral scanning offers significant improvements in comfort compared to traditional impression techniques that rely on bulky trays and viscous impression materials. Patients with sensitive gag reflexes or anxiety about dental procedures particularly benefit from the quick and non-invasive scanning process. Beyond comfort, the visual nature of the scans allows dentists to show patients detailed 3D images of their oral condition in real time, which can greatly enhance patient understanding, improve communication, and increase acceptance of recommended treatment plans.

🔬 Expanding Clinical Applications

While originally limited to digital impressions, intraoral scanners are now being used in diagnostic and preventive contexts. For instance, certain devices incorporate near-infrared imaging or fluorescence-based technologies that can aid in the early detection of caries, while others can be employed to monitor tooth wear or evaluate periodontal changes over time. Their ability to integrate with implant planning software and orthodontic systems further broadens their role, allowing for more precise and individualized treatment strategies that are less invasive and more predictable.

Ongoing Challenges and Limitations

Despite the considerable progress, several barriers remain to the universal adoption of intraoral scanners. At the institutional level, large clinics and hospitals often face challenges in integrating IOS with electronic health record systems, handling the massive volumes of data generated, and ensuring compliance with data security regulations. From a technical perspective, while intraoral scanners excel in localized or quadrant scans, full-arch accuracy is still not consistently at the level of conventional impressions, with small discrepancies that may become clinically significant in complex cases. Furthermore, while the diagnostic functions of scanners are promising, current algorithms and imaging modalities require further refinement before they can be considered fully reliable as stand-alone diagnostic tools.

🌍 Future Perspectives

The future of intraoral scanning is expected to be shaped by greater interoperability, with open data standards enabling smoother integration between scanners, laboratories, and third-party software. Artificial intelligence is likely to enhance diagnostic accuracy, automate parts of the scanning process, and provide predictive insights that improve treatment outcomes. As costs decrease and technology becomes more accessible, intraoral scanners are expected to move from being a high-end feature of advanced practices to a standard tool in everyday dentistry, fundamentally reshaping how clinicians and patients experience dental care.

📖 Original Article Citation:

Eggmann F, et al. Recent Advances in Intraoral Scanners. Journal of Dental Research. 2024; 103(8): 917-926.

DOI: 10.1177/00220345241271937