A dental lab that utilizes a digital workflow in dentistry needs a digital impression of the patient’s mouth. There are two ways to create this digital file: either the doctor scans the patient directly with an intraoral scanner and sends that file to the lab, or the doctor takes a conventional impression, and sends the gypsum model to the lab. In the latter case, the lab needs a dental model scanner to digitize the impression so that they can start the digital design process. Below we will explain what lab scanners can do and how they compare.
WHAT IS A DENTAL LAB SCANNER?
A dental laboratory scanner, also called a dental model scanner is a desktop scanner that allows dental technicians to simply place a model (or die — a small model of the crown or root surface of the tooth) inside it, press a button, and the scanner generates a 3D model. Usually 3D scanners for dental models are sold as a bundle with a software package that lets the dental technician start design and production right away. This is also called CAD/CAM dental software: the dental lab utilizes computer-aided design technology.
WHAT CAN DENTAL LABORATORY SCANNERS DO?
The scanner generates a digital file for you within a matter of seconds. Based on the type of treatment that the dental technician is going to design for, the accuracy can be defined beforehand.
The way the scanner works is by simultaneously projecting light onto the scanned object and capturing an image of the object with on-board cameras. Combined, this will generate a 3D model of the object right away.
Some scanners use laser light, but nowadays most scanners use structured light. Using structured light is generally seen as more practical, because it allows for an open scanner, which is easier to operate. The dental technician doesn't need to open and close the scanner but can just place the object on the holder and the scanning begins automatically.
Benefits of lab scanners:
Speed. Scanning a model takes less than a minute which means that busy labs can save hundreds of hours per year because their lab technicians do not need to manually create casts or sit and wait for files to be processed.
Accuracy. There is consistent scientific evidence to support the validity of measurements from digital dental models in comparison with intra-arch dimensional measurements directly obtained from them , even though the human factor will always remain a big influence too (operating the scanner has an impact on the outcome). In addition to this, model scanners tend to be a bit more accurate than intraoral scanners .
Predictability of treatment outcomes. Traditional impression techniques can involve multiple stages and each stage brings a risk of decreasing accuracy with it. A scan on the other hand is stable so treatment can be planned with the end in mind.
Cost savings. Scanning digital dental impressions is quick and does not require time or materials to create models. Even though a dental model scanner can seem like quite an investment, the ROI tends to be good, especially for busier labs that want to process many cases.
HOW TO ASSESS A SCANNER’S ACCURACY?
Depending on the restoration you are working on, accuracy can define quality. The choice of a lab scanner is dictated by the restorations the lab is producing. If your restorations are complex, it is generally recommended to choose a scanner with higher accuracy. Implants, for example, require the highest degree of accuracy. On the other hand, for technicians new to CAD/CAM systems that work on basic restorations, the highest degree of accuracy does not play a key role.
