If you’ve ever dreaded sitting in the dental chair with a mouthful of gooey impression material, you’re not alone! Digital dental impressions change everything about that experience. Research published in the National Institutes of Health confirms that digital scanning demonstrates excellent reproducibility and meaningfully improved patient comfort compared to traditional techniques.
At Imagine Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we use the state-of-the-art iTero Lumina scanner to deliver a comfortable, accurate, and truly modern dental experience. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has over 20 years of experience and has received the Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016.
What Is a Digital Dental Impression?
A digital dental impression is a 3D scan of your teeth, gums, and bite position, captured by a small handheld wand that your dentist gently guides around your mouth. The scanner uses light to record thousands of data points per second, assembling them in real time into a precise digital model. You can watch your smile take shape on the monitor, which most patients find fascinating and reassuring.
Unlike traditional impressions that require physical molds sent to a lab, digital impressions are shared electronically almost instantly. This means faster turnaround on restorations and aligners, without the distortion risk of physical molds.
How Does the iTero Lumina Scanner Work?
The iTero Lumina is one of the most sophisticated intraoral scanners available today. Here is what you can expect when you visit Imagine Dentistry for a scan:
- The Wand: Dr. Coambs guides a small scanner wand gently around your teeth in a smooth, continuous motion
- The Capture: As the wand moves, it combines thousands of images into a full-color, 3D model of your smile
- The Display: Everything is shown live on a screen so that you can see your teeth exactly as we see them
- The Result: Once complete, the digital model is ready for treatment planning, lab work, or simulation, based on your needs
No trays, no gagging, no mess. The iTero Lumina scanner makes the process far more comfortable than ever before.
What Treatments Use Digital Impressions?
For the vast majority of patients, a digital scan with the iTero Lumina scanner is a far more comfortable experience than a traditional impression. Patients with sensitivities, a strong gag reflex, or dental anxiety find it to be an especially pleasant change. Because there is nothing to hold in your mouth for multiple minutes, the experience is notably less stressful.
The most common uses for iTero Lumina scanners include these treatments:
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
One of the most popular uses for our iTero Lumina scanner is Invisalign® treatment. The scan captures the exact positioning of your teeth so that a fully customized series of clear aligners can be fabricated. You wear a new set of aligners every two weeks, gradually moving teeth into a better position. The iTero scanner also allows patients to see a preview of what their smile could look like after treatment, before they even begin.
Dental Crowns and Restorations
Digital impressions are vital for dental crowns and other restorations. A precise 3D scan enables the lab to create restorations that fit accurately from the start, reducing the need for repeated impressions or repeated adjustments. For patients planning or restoring dental implants, the digital workflow ensures every component works in harmony with the surrounding teeth and bite position.
Schedule Your Digital Smile Consultation at Imagine Dentistry in Charlotte, NC
Digital dental impressions represent one of the most meaningful improvements in patient care that modern dentistry has introduced, and the iTero Lumina scanner sits at the heart of that experience at Imagine Dentistry. Dr. Coambs’ Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists recognition, Dawson Academy training, and Bioclear training reflect the same commitment to excellence that technology brings to every appointment. Financing options are available to help make treatment accessible.
Ready to experience the impact of advanced dental technology? Contact Imagine Dentistry today. Dr. Coambs will answer your questions and create a treatment plan that suits your smile and lifestyle. Use our contact form to schedule your consultation. Love.Your.Smile.
