One of the most important pieces of technical equipment in a dental clinic is a dental scanner, and the evolution of these handheld intraoral devices has perhaps done more to shape dental practice than any other technological development in recent years.
The intraoral scanner enabled the development of patient-focused care and became the bedrock of many modern dental treatments such as computer-guided orthodontics and CEREC.
With so many on the market, it can be difficult to find the one for your practice, but here are the five most vital features to consider before buying any scanner.
Accuracy
The more often you can get a scan or detection right the first time, the less discomfort your patients will feel, and this is only possible through a high-resolution, accurate intraoral scanner.
A more accurate scanner means fewer errors; those errors are easier to rectify and give more detailed imaging for constructing restorations, meaning they will typically fit around a patient’s teeth better.
Scanning Speed
A good scanner needs to be fast; whilst intraoral scanners are more comfortable than older impression materials such as alginate, it still involves waving a wand in a patient’s mouth.
The faster you can get a complete and comprehensive scan, the better your results.
User Friendliness
A scanner needs to be easy to use and easy to integrate into your existing practice. Most modern scanners use systems such as USB-C, which allow them to plug into tablets or computers and use software that requires minimal additional training.
Price
The cheapest scanner is not the best scanner, but instead your price consideration should consider the long-term benefits and potential return on investment through easier, faster practice.
Compatibility
Some scanners require the use of proprietary software, which may or may not add additional costs to the unit over time.
Instead, the best scanners to use have open software and support for major systems used in dental laboratories.
In particular, they should be able to connect to dental computer-aided design software to allow for easy application of dental scans.