An intraoral scanner is a handheld dental device that captures a digital 3D model of teeth and gums. It replaces, or reduces the need for, traditional “putty” impressions in many situations. It is commonly used in general dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and implant workflows. The scan becomes a computer file that can be used for diagnosis, treatment planning, and making dental appliances.

An intraoral scan is a digital way to record the shape of teeth and gums using a small handheld camera. It creates a 3D model that can be viewed on a screen and saved to a patient record. It is commonly used in restorative dentistry, orthodontics, implant dentistry, and prosthodontics. It often replaces or supplements traditional “putty” impressions taken in trays.

A digital impression is a 3D digital record of teeth and gums captured with an intraoral scanner. It replaces or supplements traditional “putty” impressions made with physical impression materials. It is commonly used to plan and make restorations like crowns, bridges, and clear aligners. It can also be used to monitor changes in the mouth over time using digital models.

A polyether impression is a dental impression made with a polyether-based elastomeric (rubber-like) material. It is used to capture an accurate negative mold of teeth and gums so a lab or scanner can produce a model. Dentists commonly use it for crowns, bridges, implants, and other precise fixed restorations. It is valued for detailed reproduction and predictable accuracy in many clinical situations.

A **PVS impression** is a dental mold made using **polyvinyl siloxane** (also called an “addition silicone”) impression material. It records the shape of teeth and gums so a lab or clinic can create restorations that fit accurately. It is commonly used for crowns, bridges, inlays/onlays, implant restorations, and some dentures. PVS materials are valued because they tend to hold their shape well after they set.

A polyvinyl siloxane impression is a dental mold made from an elastomeric (rubber-like) silicone material. It records the shape of teeth and gums so a lab or clinic can make a restoration that fits. It is commonly used for crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, and some dentures. It is also used for bite records and study models in many dental offices.

An alginate impression is a molded copy of the teeth and surrounding oral tissues made with an alginate-based material. It starts as a powder mixed with water and quickly becomes a soft gel that captures shape details. It is commonly used in general dentistry and orthodontics to make study models and preliminary casts. It is typically chosen when a fast, comfortable, and cost-conscious impression is needed.

A preliminary impression is an initial mold of the teeth, gums, and oral tissues. It creates a basic replica of the mouth that can be poured into a model (cast). It is commonly used early in treatment planning for dentures, crowns/bridges, orthodontics, and other dental appliances. It is usually less detailed than a final impression, but it is designed to be accurate enough for diagnosis and early fabrication steps.

A **final impression** is a detailed mold or digital record of teeth and gums used to create a precise dental restoration. It is commonly taken after any needed tooth shaping or tissue management is completed. Dentists use a final impression for indirect work like crowns, bridges, dentures, and some implant restorations. It aims to capture fine details (like margins and contact areas) so the lab or CAD/CAM system can make an accurate fit.

An impression is a negative mold or digital record of the teeth and surrounding oral tissues. Dentists use it to capture tooth shape, bite relationships, and gum contours for planning and fabrication. It is commonly used for crowns, bridges, dentures, clear aligners, mouthguards, and study models. An impression can be made with a soft setting material in a tray or with an intraoral scanner (digital impression).