Intraoral scanning represents one of the latest technological advancements in dentistry. If you’re thinking of a career as a dental assistant, you should consider enrolling in a program that includes training on using this equipment to take digital impressions.
What Is Intraoral Dental Scanning?
Intraoral dental scanning is the modernized method for taking full-mouth digital impressions. This technology is advanced. A trained dental assistant can use intraoral scanners to complete full-mouth 3D scans in just minutes. These scans provide a full-color, high-resolution digital image in real-time that you can view, enlarge and distribute to team members or specialists to accompany treatment.
With an intraoral scanner, dental staff can monitor patient gum health and quickly determine the location and extent of tooth fractures, calculus, deteriorating restorative work and inflammation. This equipment also makes it easy to evaluate surface wear, overcrowding issues, overbites, protrusions and more. Intraoral scanners are useful post treatment as well. They provide a simple and accurate way to view and monitor the treatment’s results.
Why Is Learning How to Take Digital Impressions Important?
Intraoral dental scanning is faster and cleaner than taking physical impressions with a mold. It’s also much more comfortable for patients and especially beneficial for people with prominent gag-reflexes and sensitive teeth. The images these instruments capture are detailed, accurate and easy to read. If there’s an error with the scan, it’s immediately apparent. The patient can be quickly re-scanned right then.
With all these advantages and many others, more dental offices are switching to taking digital impressions. When they’re looking to hire, dental assistants who are trained in using intraoral scanner setup, proper use and associated software systems are better positioned to assume the role. They already know how to set up the tool, use it to take impressions and navigate the software system to view, save and share images.
Different Dental Field Applications
Dental assistants work in all areas of dentistry, and intraoral scanners are quickly finding their way into offices across the spectrum. If you plan on entering the dental field, chances are you’re going to encounter this technology.
Intraoral dental scanning eliminates virtually all the labor and guesswork. This method is becoming the go-to for a range of different applications, such as:
- Prosthodontics: Intraoral scanners and the 3D images they capture are a fast and simple way to get measurements for implant-supported restorative dental work.
- Prostheses: Digital impressions make it easy to get the exact measurements necessary to fabricate single crowns, inlays, onlays and fixed partial dentures
- Orthodontics: In orthodontics, intraoral dental scanning is beneficial for patient diagnosis and treatment. Using scanners beats conventional molds in every way.
Learn How to Take Digital Impressions Using Intraoral Scanners
Get the skills you need to begin a valuable career in the dental field at the American Institute of Dental Assisting (AIDA) in Arizona. We have campuses in Phoenix and Mesa and are one of the few facilities in the state where you can get hands-on experience using intraoral dental scanners in a classroom setting.
To enroll in our 13-week course or learn more about our program and how it can help you reach the career of your dreams, please contact us today.