Technology at Drill Dental
Digital Impressions
3Shape TRIOS 5. Product image: 3Shape.
A digital view of your smileA small handheld scanner captures the shape of your teeth and gums, creating a detailed 3D model on screen.
What it does
An impression records the shape of your mouth so your dental team can plan and design treatment. A TRIOS intraoral scanner takes a series of images and joins them into a three-dimensional surface model. You can see that model on a screen as the scan comes together.
At Drill Dental
We use the 3Shape TRIOS 5 scanner as part of our digital approach to care. Digital impressions give our team a record of your teeth to work from and a visual way to discuss your treatment with you. Depending on your treatment, the scan may support restorative planning or clear aligner care.
What you can expect
A team member moves the scanner around your teeth while you keep your mouth open. We may ask you to bite together to record how your upper and lower teeth meet. Let us know if you need a pause. Some treatments still need an additional impression or other records.
Questions patients ask
Is this an X-ray?
No. An intraoral scanner records the visible surfaces of your teeth and gums using optical images. It does not show the bone or the inside of a tooth, so it serves a different purpose from dental X-rays.
Will the scan show me my final result?
The scan shows your mouth as it is now. A proposed treatment design is a separate part of planning. Your dentist can explain which previews are useful for your treatment and what they can tell you.