ANSWERS

What is digital dentistry?

Digital dentistry is the use of computer-based tools to plan, design, and produce dental restorations. It replaces analog impressions and stone models with intraoral scans, CBCT imaging, CAD design software, and CAM milling or 3D printing. The workflow connects the dentist's operatory to the lab through digital file...

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The core definition

Digital dentistry covers any clinical or laboratory process that captures, designs, or manufactures using digital data instead of physical materials. The three anchor technologies are intraoral scanning (replacing PVS impression trays), CBCT imaging (3D radiographic planning), and CAD/CAM fabrication (designing and milling or printing the restoration from a digital file). The American Dental Association's 2023 Health Policy Institute survey found 56% of US dental practices now own an intraoral scanner, up from 38% in 2019.

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Do I need an intraoral scanner to work with a digital lab?

No. A digital lab can still receive a traditional PVS impression, pour a model, and scan the model on the lab bench to enter the digital workflow. You lose some of the chair-time and accuracy advantages, but the lab side stays digital. That said, the 2023 ADA survey shows scanner adoption crossed 56% in US practices, and the case-acceptance and turnaround advantages tend to pay back the scanner investment within 18 to 24 months for a typical restorative practice.

Is digital dentistry more accurate than analog impressions?

For single units and short-span bridges, peer-reviewed studies (Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, multiple 2019 to 2023 reviews) show intraoral scanning matches or exceeds PVS accuracy. For full-arch impressions, the picture is more nuanced; scan strategy, scanner model, and use of scan bodies all affect outcomes. The accuracy advantage compounds on the lab side, because the digital file does not distort during shipping the way a stone model or impression tray can.

What does digital dentistry cost a practice to adopt?

Entry intraoral scanners now run $18,000 to $35,000, down from $40,000+ five years ago. CBCT units range from $75,000 to $150,000 depending on field of view. The lab-side investment (mills, printers, CAD seats) is the lab's responsibility, not the practice's. The practice cost is the scanner plus staff training. Most restorative practices recover the scanner within 18 to 24 months through reduced remakes, faster cases, and higher case acceptance from chairside visualization.

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