digital models are computerized 3D representations of teeth, gums, and bite relationships. They are usually created from intraoral scans, desktop scans of impressions, or cone-beam CT (CBCT) data. Clinicians use them to plan treatment, design restorations, and communicate with dental labs. They can replace or supplement traditional plaster “stone” models in many workflows.

An intraoral scan (ortho) is a digital way to capture the shape of teeth and gums using a handheld camera-like scanner. It creates a 3D model that can replace many traditional “impressions” made with dental putty. It is commonly used in orthodontics for clear aligners, braces planning, retainers, and tracking tooth movement over time. The scan is stored as a digital file that can be used for planning and fabrication.

CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography, a 3D dental imaging scan. It uses a cone-shaped X‑ray beam to capture many images and reconstruct a three-dimensional view. CBCT is commonly used in dentistry and oral surgery for detailed evaluation of teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. It is different from a standard dental X‑ray, which is typically two-dimensional.

OPG is a panoramic dental X‑ray that captures the upper and lower jaws in a single wide image. It is also commonly called a panoramic radiograph or panoramic X‑ray. OPG is widely used in general dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and hospital dental settings. It helps clinicians review teeth, jawbones, and surrounding structures in one view.

A panoramic radiograph is a wide, two-dimensional dental X‑ray that captures the upper jaw, lower jaw, and surrounding structures in one image. It is commonly used in general dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry for screening and treatment planning. The image is taken with a machine that rotates around the head while the patient remains still. It helps clinicians see teeth and jaw anatomy that may not fit on small, intraoral X‑rays.

IMPA is a term often used to refer to an injectable, flowable resin-based composite approach for tooth restorations. It is commonly discussed in the context of minimally invasive aesthetic dentistry and small-to-moderate repairs. In practice, IMPA may describe a material type (injectable composite) and/or a technique for placing it with a planned shape. Specific products and exact meanings can vary by clinician, region, and manufacturer.

FMA is commonly used as a shorthand term for a **flowable resin-based composite** placed in teeth. It is a **tooth-colored restorative material** that can be flowed into small or irregular areas before being hardened. FMA is most often used in **restorative dentistry** for small fillings, liners, and repairs. Meaning and exact product choice can **vary by clinician and case**.

—

The ANB angle is a measurement used in orthodontics to describe how the upper jaw and lower jaw relate to each other from front to back. It is calculated on a side-view skull X-ray called a lateral cephalogram. Clinicians use it as part of “cephalometric analysis,” which is a set of measurements that help with diagnosis and treatment planning. In simple terms, it helps estimate whether the jaws are well aligned, or whether one jaw sits too far forward or back relative to the other.

SNB angle is a measurement used in orthodontics and jaw (orthognathic) assessment. It describes how the lower jaw (mandible) sits front-to-back relative to the cranial base. It is measured on a lateral cephalometric radiograph (a side-view head X-ray) or its digital equivalent. Clinicians use it to help describe bite relationships and guide diagnosis and treatment planning.