A handheld digital scanner captures a precise 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes — no putty trays, no gagging, no waiting for material to set. The scan drives our entire digital workflow: CAD-CAM crowns, digital dentures, surgical guides, and aligner planning.
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An intraoral scanner is a small, handheld wand with a camera at the tip. The hygienist or dentist gently moves the wand around your teeth while it captures hundreds of images and stitches them into a precise 3D model of your dentition, bite, and surrounding tissue. The whole scan typically takes 3 to 5 minutes for a single arch. No putty, no trays, no waiting for material to harden, and no gag reflex to fight.
Why we use scans for almost everything now: the digital model is more accurate than a putty impression and isn't subject to distortion as material sets. It transfers directly into CAD software for designing crowns, surgical guides for implants, and other restorations. We can rotate it, take measurements, and share it digitally without ever needing to ship a physical impression to an outside lab. For patients who need orthodontic aligners (we use ClearCorrect), the scan drives the aligner manufacturing workflow directly.
Beyond restoration accuracy, intraoral scans give patients a view of their own teeth they've never had before. Cracks, recession, wear patterns, and bite contact issues that are invisible in a mirror show up clearly in the 3D model. We use that view in conversations about treatment so you can see exactly what we're seeing — not just take our word for it.
Scanning is one of the most patient-friendly parts of any dental appointment.
Teeth are dried briefly. The scanner wand is sanitized between patients. For restorative work, the prepared tooth is scanned along with adjacent teeth and the opposing arch.
The wand is moved slowly over the teeth and gums, capturing the 3D model in real time on screen. You can usually watch the model build up as the scan progresses. 3–5 minutes per arch.
A quick scan with teeth closed captures how upper and lower arches fit together — important for restorations and aligners.
Any gaps in the scan are filled in with a quick re-pass. The final model is reviewed on-screen and approved before it drives the next step (design, manufacturing, etc.).
The scan flows directly into CAD design for crowns or guides, into the aligner manufacturer for ClearCorrect cases, or into the 3D-printing workflow for printed restorations.
Common questions about digital impressions.
Book a free consultation. We're happy to demonstrate the scanner — it takes a few minutes to scan, and you'll see your own teeth in 3D on screen.