3D Impressions in Lancaster, PA

For many years, getting physical impressions was a long and often uncomfortable process. It involved biting down on a messy mold for an extended period, which can be challenging for younger patients or those with a strong gag reflex. That’s why our pediatric dental team is proud to offer a more comfortable alternative: 3D impressions. Using advanced intraoral cameras, we take precise digital scans of your teeth to create an exact 3D model of your mouth. This technology allows us to create accurate dental restorations, including crowns, implants, onlays, inlays, dentures, Spark™ (Ormco)® clear aligners, and more. If you’re in need of restorative dentistry or orthodontic care, skip the hassle of traditional molds and choose 3D impressions at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates in Lancaster, PA.

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, 3D impressions offer a range of benefits compared to traditional molds. Instead of relying on a lab, our team in Lancaster, PA, can digitally design your restorative treatment with incredible precision.

Here are some key benefits of 3D scanning:

• Faster, simpler process
• Fewer appointments needed
• More comfortable for most patients
• Greater control over the design and creation of dental restorations
• Digital impressions are electronically stored for future reference
• Helps patients better understand their oral health by visualizing it on-screen

Digital impressions are a great option for patients of all ages, especially those with a sensitive gag reflex or anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of messy molds. Our dentists use digital impressions to create custom dental restorations, including bridges, crowns, onlays, inlays, dentures, or removable orthodontic aligners like Spark™ (Ormco). These impressions provide highly accurate digital models of your teeth, which can be sent directly to a dental lab or processed with our in-office CEREC machine.

When taking 3D impressions, patients simply sit back and relax in the treatment chair as we use a small scanning wand to capture images of their teeth. This tool uses safe imaging technology to scan all the corners and surfaces of the mouth. Once the scan is finished, the images will appear on one of our in-office monitors. If we missed any spots during the first scan, we can quickly go back and re-scan those areas. Unlike molds, there’s no need to start the process over from scratch.

Once the 3D images are taken, our experts at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates will send them to a dental lab or our in-office CEREC system to be reviewed by a professional. The precise impressions allow us to plan out and finalize your treatment plan moving forward. There is no need to re-take the images since we also keep your scans on file, making it easier to create new restorations if needed and to monitor changes in your teeth and overall dental health.

Do you have questions about dental insurance? Our team is happy to help coordinate benefits with your provider. We’ll work with you to ensure the payment process goes smoothly and provide details about any out-of-pocket costs. If you don’t have insurance, Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates accepts a variety of payment options, and our billing staff can provide helpful information about low-interest financing.

Is the process painful?

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, 3D impressions are designed to be completely comfortable. Patients can sit back and relax in one of our treatment chairs while we use a small scanning wand to take precise images of the teeth. This eliminates the need for messy or uncomfortable molds.

How long does it take to complete a 3D scan?

The scan itself is a fast and efficient process at our office in Lancaster, PA. Our patients spend very little time in the treatment chair while the scanning wand captures detailed images.

What happens if some areas are missed during the initial scan?

If any areas are missed during the initial 3D scan, we can quickly re-scan specific parts of the mouth without having to redo the entire process. This approach ensures a complete and accurate digital model of your teeth.

How do 3D impressions differ from traditional impressions?

Traditional impressions require physical molds, while 3D impressions use digital scanning technology to capture detailed images of the teeth and gums. This approach is more comfortable and provides greater accuracy.

How long does it take to get results from a 3D impression?

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our team can provide the results from your scan almost instantly, making diagnosis and treatment planning faster and more efficient compared to other options.

Are 3D impressions covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for 3D impressions depends on your specific provider and plan. We recommend checking with your provider to understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs. Our team in Lancaster, PA, is happy to assist with this process.

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, we offer 3D impressions as a better alternative to uncomfortable dental molds. With advanced technology, we can digitally capture precise impressions, making restorations faster and more efficient. Contact our office in Lancaster, PA, today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dental professionals and learn more.