If you’ve ever needed dental work like crowns, bridges, or clear aligners, you’ve likely dealt with dental impressions. Whether you had a traditional putty-like material placed in your mouth or underwent modern digital scanning, obtaining accurate impressions is crucial to successful treatment. Understanding the differences between these two methods can help you know what to expect at your next appointment and why many dental practices are shifting toward digital technology.
At Sopris Smiles, we use advanced dental technology, including digital scanning with CEREC, to create precise impressions for a range of treatments. This approach eliminates many of the discomforts associated with traditional impressions while providing exceptional accuracy for procedures ranging from same-day crowns to clear aligners. Dr. Golnaz has invested over 1,000 hours in continuing education to bring you the most current techniques and technologies available in dentistry today.
Traditional dental impressions involve filling a tray with putty-like impression material and placing it over your teeth for several minutes while the material sets. This process creates a physical mold of your teeth and gums. Once the impression material hardens, the tray is removed, and the mold is sent to a dental laboratory, where technicians pour dental stone into it to create a physical model of your mouth. The entire process typically requires you to hold still with your mouth open while the material sets, which can take anywhere from two to five minutes per arch. Many patients find this uncomfortable, particularly those with a sensitive gag reflex. The materials can also have an unpleasant taste and texture.
Digital dental impressions use an intraoral scanner to capture thousands of images of your teeth and soft tissues within minutes. The scanner, which looks like a small wand, is moved around your mouth to photograph your teeth from multiple angles. These images are instantly compiled by software to create a detailed 3D model of your mouth, which appears on a computer screen in real time. Research from the Journal of the American Dental Association notes that intraoral scanners digitally reproduce the three-dimensional geometry of intraoral soft and hard tissues by projecting light sources onto tooth surfaces, with imaging sensors capturing the data to produce accurate 3D surface models. This technology has transformed how dental professionals obtain impressions for restorative and orthodontic procedures.
Both traditional and digital impressions can produce accurate results when performed correctly. However, traditional impressions are susceptible to distortion from several factors. The impression material can shrink or expand slightly as it sets, and the dental stone used to create the model can also experience dimensional changes. Saliva contamination, premature removal of the impression, or patient movement during setting can all compromise accuracy. Digital impressions eliminate many of these variables. The scanning process captures data directly, without intermediate materials that could change dimensions. If the dentist notices any gaps or unclear areas during scanning, they can immediately rescan just that specific area rather than starting the entire impression over.
The comfort difference between traditional and digital impressions is significant for most patients. Traditional impressions require you to bite down on trays filled with impression material, keeping your mouth open for extended periods. This can trigger gagging, cause jaw discomfort, and create anxiety about the unpleasant texture and taste. Digital scanning involves opening your mouth while a small wand moves around to capture images. There’s no gagging, no unpleasant tastes, and you can close your mouth briefly between scanning different areas if needed. Patients experiencing dental anxiety often find digital scanning much less stressful than traditional impression methods.
Traditional impressions require multiple steps and waiting periods. After taking the impression, it must be sent to a laboratory, which can take days or weeks, depending on the restoration being created. If the impression was compromised, you’ll need to return for another appointment to retake it. Digital impressions streamline this process considerably. The digital files can be sent electronically to the laboratory immediately or used with in-office milling equipment to create restorations the same day. Our practice uses digital scanning with CEREC same-day crown technology, allowing many patients to receive their final restoration in a single visit rather than waiting weeks with a temporary crown.
Digital impressions are well-suited for most dental procedures, including crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, and orthodontic treatments such as clear aligners. They’re particularly beneficial for full-mouth reconstructions where multiple teeth require treatment, as the comprehensive digital model enables precise treatment planning. Traditional impressions may still be preferred in certain situations, such as when capturing the exact position of very mobile teeth or for some types of removable prosthetics. However, as digital scanning technology continues to advance, these exceptions are becoming less common. The versatility of digital impressions means they’re suitable for patients of all ages receiving various types of dental care.
Dr. Golnaz Samimifar and the team at Sopris Smiles combine advanced technology with compassionate care to provide dental services for the whole family. With over 1,000 hours of continuing education and memberships in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Colorado Dental Association, Dr. Golnaz stays at the forefront of modern dentistry. Our practice uses digital scanning, CEREC same-day crowns, laser dentistry, and CBCT imaging to deliver precise, comfortable treatment in a welcoming environment.
Whether you need restorative work, cosmetic enhancements, or routine care, our digital impression technology ensures accurate results with greater comfort than traditional methods. Contact our office to schedule your appointment and experience the difference modern dental technology can make in your care.
