What is it, in plain words?
The TRIOS scanner, made by 3Shape, is a wand about the size of an electric toothbrush with a tiny camera at its tip. As we move it slowly over your teeth, it takes many pictures every second. Software stitches those pictures together into a full-colour 3D model of your teeth and gums, a bit like the way your phone joins photos into a panorama.
The result is a “digital impression”: an exact copy of your mouth that we can turn, zoom into, and send to a dental lab without ever touching a tray of putty.
What happens during a scan
- You sit back and relax. There’s no tray, and nothing to bite into or hold in your mouth while it sets.
- We glide the wand along your teeth. We scan the top, the bottom, and the way your teeth fit together. You can breathe normally, swallow, and ask for a break at any time.
- Your 3D model appears as we go. A typical scan takes just a few minutes. If a spot needs another pass, we simply rescan that area.
- We look at it together. We turn the model on screen and show you exactly what we’re talking about.
Why it matters to you
More comfortable
No putty, no gagging, and no waiting for material to harden. It’s a real relief for anyone with a strong gag reflex or dental anxiety.
A precise fit
Putty impressions can have air bubbles or bend slightly as they’re removed. A digital model avoids those problems, which helps crowns, aligners, and guards fit well from the start.
You see what we see
Looking at your own teeth in 3D makes it much easier to understand a worn spot, crowding, or a cracked filling, and to make decisions with us rather than just hearing about them.
Less redoing
If one area isn’t clear, we rescan just that area instead of starting the whole impression over. The file goes to the lab digitally, so nothing gets lost or damaged in transit.
Where we use it
- Crowns and bridges, so your new tooth is shaped around an accurate copy of your mouth.
- Invisalign clear aligners. Every Invisalign plan starts with a scan, and you can often preview how your smile could change.
- Custom night guards and sport guards, made from durable materials like KeySplint Hard for a snug, comfortable fit.
- Keeping a record over time. Saved scans let us compare your teeth from visit to visit.
Good to know
- The scanner uses ordinary light, like a camera. There is no radiation.
- The tip that goes in your mouth is sterilized or replaced between every patient.
- In a few situations, a traditional impression may still be the better choice. If so, we’ll explain why.
Want to see it for yourself?
Ask us about digital scanning at your next visit. We’re always happy to explain how we use our technology and what it means for your care.
