Blog

Gone are the days of gooey dental impressions. Today, modern dentistry has the added advantages of incorporating 3D imaging for improved patient comfort and a better treatment outcome.

While it may seem like a novelty, 3D imaging changes the way dental specialists like our periodontist in The Woodlands care for patients. Here are just a few examples of how dental technology investments change the level of care you receive in our Conroe specialty practice:

Precise Treatment Planning

CBCT scanning is a great example of 3D imaging for treatment planning. Instead of relying on two-dimensional X-rays, a 3D scan of your entire mouth allows us to see inside and around each oral structure.

Now, we can place dental implants with better accuracy and predictability, already knowing what your oral anatomy (such as bone width and height) looks like prior to your surgery. In some cases, we can digitally “place” the implant onto your CBCT scan to see exactly how I will relate to the oral structures around it. This feature prevents a trial-and-error process and the risk of implant failure.

Your 3D CBCT scan may also limit the need for adjunctive surgeries, such as bone grafts/augmentation or sinus lifts, depending on what we see. This resource makes it especially useful for hard-to-treat dental implant patients or people that have been told they do not qualify for treatment.

Better Accuracy for Your Restorations (and No Gag Reflex!)

Digital scanning techniques can take virtual “impressions” of your teeth without a gooey tray inside of your mouth. When transferring data back and forth between our office, your restorative dentist, and the dental lab making your fixed appliance, CAD/CAM scans are extremely useful.

Using a small handheld wand, the device is waved over each of your teeth (inside and out) to record their unique anatomy inside of your electronic chart. This process completely eliminates the need to use a bulky tray filled with impression material.

Traditional dental impressions can warp, crack, or become altered between the time they’re taken and when they’re received by the lab. A digital scan won’t. That means a precise virtual model that can be replicated at any time, regardless as to what environmental factors are at play.

Making Your Treatment a Reality

In years past, dental implant patients used to be turned away and told that they “weren’t candidates” for implants given certain situations. 3D imaging changes that. With resources allowing us to see all aspects of your smile, our Conroe implant specialist can make the reality of “new teeth” an option for more people than ever.

If you’ve been told that you don’t qualify for dental implants, or you’ve experienced years of gum disease and bone loss, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Conroe specialist. As a periodontal expert, we can make dental implants a reality for non-traditional patients and hard-to-treat cases. Incorporating modern resources ensures the best outcome for your smile’s investment.

Call us today to learn more!