Interview: Witnessing the evolution of digital impression solutions

“In the beginning, we were all very enthusiastic about the new technology, but we discovered that results lacked the required accuracy,” he said. “We were forced to regard our ceramic inserts only as well-functioning mega-fillers. Since then, I have been constantly searching for a digital system that could meet the accuracy challenge.”

Carlsen said a little more than a year ago, he attended an event that included a demonstration of 3Shape’s TRIOS system. “This experience renewed my belief that digital imprint technologies could, in fact, fulfill our needs,” he said. “Today, we use the 3Shape TRIOS system for most of our impressions in the clinic for single-tooth crowns and bridges.”

What do you demand of a reliable digital system?
Carlsen: With most of the digital impression systems that I have used, there has been a need to make small corrections before the final crown could be placed in the patient’s mouth. This should not be necessary. It is also now a great benefit to be able to view an enlarged image of the prepared tooth, with every detail clearly displayed. This enables you to identify and immediately correct areas where the tooth preparation is not sufficiently smooth or sharp. This level of control means that only correct information is sent to the laboratory. It also provides effective control of our own work.

Patients are rather impressed that we can take an impression so quickly and so easily. I think the high degree of control that dentists can demonstrate with the technology creates a greater sense of security for patients. Patients can follow their own treatment’s details on the screen and thus better understand what it entails.

How does the new system compare to the earlier devices you have tried?
Previously, you had to apply spray or powder on the teeth before you could scan. This was very annoying because it’s hard to put an even layer of coating on the teeth — and an uneven layer would ruin scan precision. With previous systems, it was also necessary to maintain a completely steady hand while scanning. The slightest movement of the patient or of the operator’s hand was enough to create a useless image.

The new scanners allow a high degree of movement freedom, and this makes it much easier to get a good picture. Here at our clinic, assistants scan as often as dentists. The system is very intuitive.

You started with a chairside milling system, but the TRIOS system you use today builds on cooperation with the lab. How do you see these two different approaches?
I know from my own experience that chairside milling systems are tempting for many dentists. But in reality, at least as the technologies stand today, chairside milling is not worth the investment because dentists need to spend too much time perfecting the esthetic details.

In relation to my business, I have no doubt that it’s better for me to outsource my milling needs. More importantly, skilled dental technicians will usually provide better restorations than dentists can. They are simply better artists and have more practice.”

Have digital impression solutions come to stay?
I think the existence of digital impression solutions in all clinics will soon be taken for granted. Even in a little town such as ours, all four dental clinics are equipped with their own digital impression system.

Actually, we find that our area’s high-tech profile affects competition because it helps us attract patients from other cities. We also see a clear trend among laboratories. More and more labs are working with advanced digital systems that allow them to mill crowns directly from our digital impressions — without first manufacturing a model. This means that we can get our crowns back from the lab even faster.

Svend Carlsen has been a dentist for more than 50 years and has always actively taken interest in the most advanced technologies within the dental profession. Today, Carlsen runs his Herregaard Center Dental Clinic in Faaborg, Denmark. The clinic uses the 3Shape TRIOS digital impression system on a daily basis.

Note: This article appeared in Dental Tribune U.S., CDA Anaheim daily edition, Vol. 5 No. 1, May 3, 2012.