Dentistry has changed significantly over the last few years, with digital technology becoming a normal part of everyday practice. As more clinicians look for ways to improve efficiency without compromising on quality, digital workflows are helping to make treatments more predictable while supporting closer collaboration between practices and dental laboratories.
The way dentists and labs work together plays an important role in achieving successful outcomes. With greater accuracy, clearer communication, and a more streamlined process, digital solutions like digital dental impressions are making it easier to deliver consistent results while creating a better experience for both clinicians and their patients.
Why more dental practices are making the switch
More dental practices are choosing digital workflows as they look for ways to make everyday treatments more efficient and reliable. What was once seen as new technology is now becoming a familiar part of modern dentistry, helping practices and dental laboratories work together more smoothly.
While conventional impression materials have been trusted for many years, they can sometimes make the process more complicated than it needs to be. Retakes, slight changes in the impression, and the time needed to handle and send physical moulds can all slow things down and create extra work for everyone involved.
At the same time, patients want a comfortable experience during dental treatment, and practices need reliable results without extra delays, all of which are leading more clinicians to consider digital options with advantages that help improve the working process and the quality of the finished restoration for patients.
Greater accuracy means better-fitting restorations
Getting an accurate impression is one of the most important steps in creating a restoration. Digital scans capture detailed information directly from the patient’s mouth, reducing the risk of distortion or small inaccuracies that can sometimes occur with traditional impression materials.
The high level of detail provided by digital scans gives dental laboratories a clear and consistent record to work from. This makes it easier to produce crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures that fit more precisely and require fewer adjustments once they reach the practice.
A better fit from the start can save time for both the clinician and the patient. Fewer remakes and less need for chairside modifications mean treatment can progress more smoothly while helping to achieve reliable results.
A more comfortable experience for patients
Many patients find traditional impressions uncomfortable, especially with large trays and impression materials being used. Some people may experience a gag reflex or feel that an already stressful appointment becomes even harder. Digital impressions provide a more comfortable option by removing the need for these materials completely.
The scanning process is usually quick and straightforward, helping to keep appointments moving smoothly. Spending less time taking an impression can make the experience easier for patients, especially those who feel nervous about dental care.
In particular, this can make a real difference for anxious patients and children, who often find digital scanning more comfortable and less intimidating than conventional methods.
Faster turnaround for practices and dental laboratories
Digital impressions help keep cases moving and allow work to begin much sooner. As soon as a scan has been completed, it can be sent directly to the dental laboratory within minutes, so there’s no need to wait for physical impressions to be packaged and posted.
With the information that they need available straight away, the laboratory can start planning and producing the restoration without any delays that they may incur waiting for delivery of physical impressions. Additionally, if any clarification is needed, it’s often quicker to resolve, helping both the practice and the laboratory stay on schedule.
A smoother workflow means patients are less likely to experience long waits between appointments. Crowns, bridges, dentures and other restorations can often be completed and returned more quickly, making it easier for practices to provide timely treatment while keeping cases running efficiently.
Better communication between dental practices and laboratories
Good communication is an important part of achieving successful outcomes, and digital workflows make it much easier to share information between the practice and the dental laboratory. Alongside the digital scan, clinicians can send photos, shade information and other case details, giving technicians a clearer picture before work begins.
This is especially valuable for more complex cases, where discussing the finer details early on can help avoid problems later. With everything shared digitally, both the practice and the laboratory can review the case together and make sure they have the information they need before manufacturing starts.
Digital records also reduce the risk of issues caused by damaged, distorted or incomplete impressions. With a clear and complete set of files available from the outset, laboratories can work with greater confidence, helping the whole process run more smoothly from start to finish.
| Feature | Digital impressions | Traditional impressions |
| Technology/process | Uses a handheld intraoral scanning wand to capture real-time optical images | Uses plastic or metal trays filled with impression materials, including alginate or silicone |
| Patient comfort | Very comfortable, no messy materials or unpleasant tastes. Significantly reduces gag reflex | Can be uncomfortable. Putty can feel bulky, trigger gag reflex, and leave a residue |
| Chair time | Fast and efficient, with scanning usually taking a few minutes. Adjustments can be made immediately | Often takes more time due to the preparation, setting time of the material, and physical removal |
| Accuracy | High precision, with no distortion during handling or transit | Very accurate, but carries a risk of distortion, tearing, or material shrinkage |
| Lab workflow and turnaround | Scans are securely emailed instantly to the lab, which cuts down on overall wait times | Moulds need to be physically shipped to the laboratory, which can delay treatment |
| Material and equipment cost | High initial cost for the intraoral scanner and software licensing | Lower initial equipment costs, but needs continuous spending on impression material |
Signs it’s time to switch to digital impressions
Every practice works differently, so the right time to introduce digital impressions will depend on your current workflow and clinical needs. However, there are some common signs that suggest it may be worth considering a move to a digital approach.
You may benefit from digital impressions if:
- You are seeing frequent remakes because impressions are not providing the level of accuracy you need.
- Patients regularly struggle with traditional impression trays due to discomfort or a strong gag reflex.
- Cases are being delayed because impressions need to be retaken or cannot be used by the laboratory.
- You want a simpler and more efficient way to share case information and communicate with your dental laboratory.
- You are investing in digital technology across your practice and want your impression process to form part of a connected workflow.
If any of these situations sound familiar, digital impressions could help make your workflow more efficient while supporting consistent results and a smoother experience for both your team and your patients.
The future of dental impressions is digital
Digital impressions are becoming an important part of modern dentistry, helping practices and laboratories work together in a more connected and efficient way. At GoDigital Dental, we support this change by providing a digital impression service that allows dentists to send scans directly into our workflow, giving our team the detailed information needed to plan and produce restorations with confidence.
As digital dentistry continues to grow and develop, we believe dental professionals will look for impressions solutions that support simpler, more reliable workflows. By combining digital technology with our laboratory expertise, we help practices streamline their processes and provide a smoother experience for both clinicians and patients.
FAQs
Are digital impressions suitable for all dental cases?
Digital impressions can be used for many dental cases, including crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures where a detailed scan is needed. However, they may not be the right choice for every situation, as each case has different needs and requirements. The best option depends on the treatment being carried out.
Dentists will look at the individual case and decide whether a digital impression is suitable. Digital scans are now a useful option for many treatments because they provide clear information and support the planning process. The approach chosen will always depend on what is most suitable for the patient.
What happens if a digital scan needs to be retaken?
If a digital scan needs to be retaken, the dentist can simply scan the area again to capture the details needed. This may be required if part of the scan is unclear or if more information is needed to complete the case. It is usually a straightforward and quick process.
The new scan can then be reviewed to make sure everything needed is included before the case continues. Retaking a scan is a normal part of digital dentistry and helps ensure the laboratory receives clear, accurate information to create the restoration or appliance. This supports a smoother process for everyone involved.
How can practices prepare to transition to using digital impressions?
Practices can prepare for digital impressions by looking at their current workflow and considering where digital scanning could make a difference. Providing training for the dental team can help everyone feel comfortable with the new technology and processes. It is also useful to choose a suitable scanning system before starting.
Working with a dental laboratory that accepts digital scans can also help make the change easier. Practices should ensure they have the right equipment and support in place before using digital impressions as part of their routine workflow. Taking a gradual approach allows teams to build confidence and adapt smoothly.
