Ep. 654 - Why Clinical Technique Is Key to Intraoral Scanner Accuracy

Are you getting the most out of your intraoral scanner, or is this powerful technology sitting underutilized in your practice? Many dental offices have made the digital leap, but few are maximizing the clinical advantages these devices offer.Dr. Christopher Pescatore brings over three decades of digital dentistry experience to this discussion. A graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Pescatore holds a U.S. patent for non-metallic post systems and serves on the editorial board of REALITY publication. He has served as past instructor for advanced aesthetic programs at New York University College of Dentistry, Baylor College of Dentistry, and University of Kentucky, while maintaining editorial roles with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His full-time practice in Danville, California focuses exclusively on aesthetic restorative procedures.This episode explores the clinical nuances that separate successful digital scanning from merely owning the equipment. Dr. Pescatore shares insights on optimizing scan protocols, adapting traditional techniques for digital workflows, and leveraging real-time feedback to improve clinical outcomes. The conversation addresses critical changes in prep design, tissue management strategies, and how digital technology transforms the dentist-laboratory relationship.Episode Highlights:Three distinct scanning protocols are compared through clinical testing, revealing that the buccal-lingual approach, standard occlusal-to-lingual technique, and X-technique all achieve similar accuracy and completion times of approximately one minute. The X-technique reduces wrist movement and may offer ergonomic advantages for practitioners.Digital scanning demands superior tissue retraction compared to traditional impressions, as physical impression materials can displace tissue while scanners require clear visual access to margins. Soft tissue lasers provide gentle, effective tissue management for capturing clean margin definition without aggressive techniques.Prep design must shift from traditional PFM bevels to chamfer and shoulder margins for optimal ceramic restoration strength and fit. The infinite margin approach that relied on laboratory interpretation no longer works with modern ceramic materials and digital workflows.Real-time scanning feedback initially challenges practitioners by revealing preparation imperfections previously hidden in traditional workflows. This immediate visual feedback becomes a powerful educational tool that improves preparation quality over time, though it requires psychological adjustment initially.Laboratory relationships have evolved significantly with digital workflows, where certified dental technicians using digital tools produce superior results compared to software-trained personnel without traditional dental knowledge. Price point often correlates with restoration quality, with premium labs providing more comprehensive tooth anatomy and occlusal considerations.Perfect for: General dentists transitioning to digital workflows, restorative specialists optimizing scanner protocols, and dental teams seeking to maximize their digital investment through improved clinical techniques.Discover how to transform your digital scanning from basic documentation to advanced clinical enhancement.