How long does a scan take?

A full upper-and-lower scan with bite capture typically takes 5–10 minutes. Single-tooth scans for a crown or onlay are even quicker. There's no waiting for impression material to set, and no taste or gagging.

Is digital scanning more accurate than traditional impressions?

For most cases, modern intraoral scanners deliver highly accurate, repeatable digital models — and importantly, accuracy is preserved through to the lab without distortion that can occur with conventional impressions during transport. There are still niche cases where a traditional impression is the right tool, and we'll use one when it is.

Yes — we always show you. The 3D model rotates on screen and we can zoom in on any tooth, illustrating wear, recession, crowding, decay margins, the bite and more. Many patients say this is the first time they've understood what's actually happening in their mouth.

Is there an extra fee for scanning?

Not for routine work where we'd normally take impressions anyway — scanning replaces them at no additional cost. For specific extras (a 3D record kept for orthodontic monitoring, or a fabrication of a sports mouthguard), the fee depends on the scope, which we'll quote up-front.

Can scans be reused later?

Yes. Stored scans can be revisited months or years later — useful for orthodontic monitoring, comparing wear over time, or planning new restorations without having to re-scan from scratch.

3D digital intraoral scanning | Warners Bay dentist

Why we ditched the goop

Traditional dental impressions use a putty-like material set in a tray held against the teeth for a few minutes. They work, but they're uncomfortable, gag-inducing for many patients, and prone to small distortions during transport to the lab.

A modern intraoral scanner replaces the tray with a small wand that captures thousands of 3D images per second. The result is a digital model of your teeth and bite that's accurate, comfortable to capture, and instantly available on screen.

What we use scans for

Scans are now part of almost every appointment at Smile Star Dental:

Crowns, bridges and onlays — designs go straight from the scanner to the lab, with no impression-material variance.
Clear aligners — case planning, simulated outcomes, attachments and retainers all run from a scan.
Dental implants — surgical planning combines scans with 3D X-ray (CBCT) data.
Sports mouthguards and night splints — perfectly fitted from the scan, no goopy tray.
Orthodontic monitoring — comparing scans taken months apart to detect early movement.
Patient education — showing you, in 3D, what's actually happening in your mouth.

What an intraoral scan can — and can't — show

Scans capture surfaces: tooth shape, gum contours, bite alignment, recession, wear patterns, restoration margins. They don't capture what's between teeth or below the gum line. That's still the job of a clinical examination and, where relevant, X-rays.

We use scans alongside other diagnostic tools, not as a replacement for them.

Privacy and storage

Like any dental record, scans are stored securely and used only for your care unless you specifically consent to wider use. They aren't shared with third parties and they aren't used commercially.

What it feels like

Most patients describe the scan as "easier than a photo". You sit upright, breathe normally, and the wand passes over the teeth. There's no taste, no smell, no setting time, and no gagging. Children and anxious adults — including those who've never been able to tolerate impressions — usually do well with scanning.

What to expect

Quick prep

We dry the teeth gently and may dust them lightly to optimise scan quality. No trays, no impression material.

Scanning

The hand-held scanner is moved over each arch in a smooth pattern. The 3D model builds in real time on the chairside screen so you can see it as it grows.

Bite capture

We scan how your upper and lower teeth come together. This bite alignment is used for any restorative or orthodontic planning.

Review and use

The scan is reviewed for completeness and accuracy on screen, then sent securely to a lab or used for in-house planning.

What to consider

Scans are radiation-free, but they don't replace X-rays — they show surfaces, not what's between or below the tooth.

Heavy bleeding, very deep margins below the gum line, or extensive restorations can occasionally require a top-up scan or, rarely, a traditional impression.

Like any dental record, scans are stored securely and used only for your treatment unless you specifically consent to wider use.

All dental procedures carry risks. Suitability, treatment options, duration, costs and potential complications should be discussed with a registered dental practitioner. Individual results vary. Information on this page is general and not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.

Frequently asked questions

A full upper-and-lower scan with bite capture typically takes 5–10 minutes. Single-tooth scans for a crown or onlay are even quicker. There's no waiting for impression material to set, and no taste or gagging.

Digital intraoral scanning in Warners Bay

Why we ditched the goop

What we use scans for

What an intraoral scan can — and can't — show

Privacy and storage

What it feels like