Digital Impressions in Frisco, TX
At Smile Breeze Dentistry, Dr. Shilpa Kelkar uses digital scanning to support restorative, orthodontic and other treatment planning. The process creates a detailed 3D model that can be reviewed on-screen and used when designing care around your individual dental needs.
How Digital Impressions Work
Digital impressions replace many traditional tray-and-material impressions with a handheld intraoral scanner. As the scanner moves around your teeth, it captures detailed images that are combined into a three-dimensional digital model of your mouth.
Dr. Kelkar can review this model to evaluate tooth position, bite relationships and other details needed for treatment planning. The digital file can also be used when communicating with dental laboratories or creating certain restorations and appliances.
How Digital Impressions Are Used
Digital impressions can support several types of dental care, including:
- Dental crowns and other restorative treatments.
- Clear aligner and orthodontic planning.
- Retainers and other dental appliances.
- Evaluation of tooth position and bite relationships.
- Creating digital records that can be referenced during future care.
The exact use depends on the treatment being planned. Dr. Kelkar will determine which records are needed after examining your teeth and discussing your goals.
Digital Impressions and iTero Scanning
Our practice uses iTero® digital scanning to capture detailed digital impressions. The scanner creates a 3D model that can be viewed during your appointment and incorporated into treatment planning.
For patients who have found traditional impressions difficult because of a sensitive gag reflex or dislike of impression material, digital scanning can provide a more comfortable alternative for many procedures.
What To Expect During a Digital Impression
Digital impressions are captured directly in the dental chair and do not require anesthesia or recovery time.
- Preparation: Our dentist will explain the scanning process and determine which areas of your mouth need to be recorded.
- Digital scanning: The handheld scanner is moved around your teeth to capture images from multiple angles.
- 3D model creation: The images are combined into a detailed digital model of your teeth and bite.
- Review: Dr. Kelkar can examine the completed scan and discuss how it will be used in your treatment.
Benefits of Digital Impressions
Digital impressions can make the record-taking process easier for both patients and our dentist. Benefits include:
- Avoiding traditional impression material for many treatments.
- Creating detailed digital models of your teeth and bite.
- Allowing selected areas to be rescanned when additional information is needed.
- Providing an on-screen view that can help you understand your treatment.
- Supporting communication with laboratories and other parts of the treatment process.
- Creating digital records that can be stored and referenced later.
Digital impressions are one part of the treatment-planning process. Dr. Kelkar will also consider your clinical examination, dental history and other diagnostic information when making recommendations.
Nearly a Decade of Digital Scanning Experience
Dr. Shilpa Kelkar has used digital impressions and intraoral scanning since 2018, giving her approximately eight years of experience incorporating digital records into dental care.
Her broader background in restorative dentistry, clear aligner treatment and occlusion helps her interpret digital scans within the context of your bite, tooth position and overall treatment plan rather than viewing the scan as a standalone result.
A More Comfortable Way To Capture Dental Impressions
If your treatment requires an accurate model of your teeth and bite, digital impressions in Frisco, TX, can eliminate the need for traditional impression material in many situations.
Schedule an appointment online or call 972-464-1124 to learn how digital impressions can support your dental treatment.