Scans instead of impressions: goodbye to the putty tray
Intraoral scanners build a 3D model of your teeth with a small wand, and for many single-tooth and cosmetic cases they can replace impression putty.
Few things in dentistry are as universally disliked as the impression tray: a mouthful of cold putty, a timer, and the effort not to gag. In many offices it has been replaced by a wand about the size of an electric toothbrush.
How a scan works
An intraoral scanner captures thousands of images as it moves over your teeth and stitches them into a 3D model on screen. There is no material to set and no tray to bite on. If an area is missed, the dentist rescans that spot rather than starting over.
The file can go straight to a lab or to an in-office milling machine or 3D printer. It also feeds smile design software, which is why scans and digital previews often arrive together.
What the research says
A 2025 narrative review in the Australian Dental Journal concluded that digital impressions are highly accurate for single-tooth restorations, integrate smoothly with digital design and manufacturing, and can reduce discomfort and treatment time. It also noted that scans create a record that can be compared against future scans, which helps when monitoring wear or movement over time.
Comfort is not universal. In a 2023 study of 28 patients in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the scan was much faster, about 12 minutes compared with 75.5 for the conventional method, and the models were comparable. Yet patients' discomfort scores in that study were actually higher for scanning, even though the authors described the digital method as more comfortable and accepted. The honest takeaway: faster, yes; painless for everyone, not necessarily.
Where putty still has a place
The same review is clear that scans are not yet right for every case. It names three hard situations:
- Movable soft tissue, such as areas where gums and cheeks shift during scanning.
- Deep margins below the gum line, which the scanner may not see clearly.
- Long-span work, such as large bridges, where small errors can add up across the arch.
So if your dentist still reaches for a tray now and then, it is not necessarily old-fashioned. It may be the right tool for that job.
What it means for a cosmetic patient
For veneers and smile makeovers, a scan makes the whole process more visual. You can see your own teeth from angles you never have, and the same data can become a preview or a mock-up. Ask whether the office scans, how the scan will be used in your plan, and whether you can see it. If anything in your case calls for a traditional impression, ask why. A clear answer is a good sign.
Sources
Educational content, not individual medical advice. Every mouth is different, so talk to a licensed dentist about your own teeth. The Real Miami Dentists is powered by 5 Star Smiles.
