Intraoral Digital Scanning in Children

Digital scanning technology allows for a detailed evaluation of oral and dental health without exposing children to radiation. The most frequently encountered oral and dental health problem in children is interproximal caries (cavities between teeth). It is quite difficult for the family to detect interproximal caries, especially seen in children between the ages of four and eight. Interproximal caries occurring at a point close to the dental nerves progress quite rapidly. It is not easy to notice interproximal caries without them causing severe pain. The most important precaution you can take against interproximal caries, which mostly emerge due to foods getting stuck between teeth, is to go to routine dentist examinations in six-month periods. Thanks to technological developments experienced in the field of dentistry, numerous oral and dental diseases in children can be detected early and treated without creating serious destruction. Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained for you what digital scanning technology is and how it is used in children.

What Are Interproximal Caries in Children?

Interproximal caries are cavities formed in the section remaining between two teeth, that is, on the side surfaces of the teeth. Interproximal caries, which are quite difficult to notice, progress rapidly if not treated on time and can bring along serious health problems. Interproximal caries, which cause severe pain symptoms and bad breath in children, can be easily detected and treated with digital intraoral scanning technologies.

What Is an Intraoral Scanner?

Intraoral scanning technology allows for the digital mapping of teeth and the oral structure. The intraoral digital scanning device is used by placing a small apparatus into the mouth and enables us to obtain three-dimensional images. In this way, the needs of children and adults can be detected correctly, and the most accurate treatment planning is carried out. Compared to classic examination and imaging technologies, it provides great comfort for both the patient and the physician. It minimizes the possibility of error.

How Does an Intraoral Digital Scanner Work?

The intraoral digital scanner device is a small and handheld device. It utilizes light and laser technology to scan the patient's teeth and surrounding tissues. No substance is placed in the patient's mouth during the intraoral digital scanning process. In this method, which provides three-dimensional images regarding teeth and gums, children's dental health can be evaluated correctly.

Dental Treatments Performed with Intraoral Digital Scanners

Intraoral digital scanning applications are used not only for diagnostic purposes but also for treatment purposes. These treatments:

Intraoral digital scanners are successfully used in the digital modeling of teeth. It is a fast and precise application and provides convenience to dentists, especially in orthodontic treatments.

It ensures the implant placement process in adult patients is planned more precisely. The patient's bone structure can be analyzed over a digital model, and it ensures implant screws are placed at the most accurate point.

It allows for the analysis of not only the outer surfaces of the teeth but also their internal structure.

Models obtained thanks to the intraoral scanner are also used in the preparation stage of prosthetic treatments. Thanks to intraoral digital scanners providing benefits in the design of dental prostheses, prostheses can be more compatible and comfortable.

What Are the Advantages of Intraoral Digital Scanners?

Intraoral digital scanning provides significant advantages in the fields of dentistry and pedodontics. If we need to list these advantages:

• It provides accurate scanning quite fast compared to traditional methods.
• It offers great comfort for the patient and the dentist.
• It allows us to analyze the oral and dental structure comprehensively.
• It allows us to detect the patient's needs correctly and make the most accurate treatment planning.
• It ensures children are examined without being exposed to radiation.