When it comes to dental work, few things are as life-changing as dental implants. They are a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for missing teeth, restoring not just your smile but also your ability to chew, speak, and feel confident. But what happens behind the scenes to make this a reality? The answer lies in the incredible partnership between your dentist and a specialized dental implant lab.
At Iverson Dental Labs, we see the amazing transformation that dental implants provide every day. We also witness firsthand how new technology is making the process more precise and comfortable than ever before. A key part of this revolution is the dental intraoral scanner, a tool that is changing how we create the perfect implant restoration.
The Art and Science of a Dental Implant Lab
Think of a dental implant as a two-part solution. First, there’s the implant itself—a small, titanium post that a dentist places in your jawbone. This acts as the new tooth root. But the visible, beautiful part of the tooth, the crown, is custom-made to fit perfectly. This is where a dental implant lab comes in.
A dental lab is a workshop of highly skilled technicians who are part artists, part engineers. They take the information from your dentist to create a custom crown that will sit on top of your implant. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. The crown must match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, and it has to fit perfectly in your mouth to be functional and comfortable.
The services a dedicated dental implant lab provides are essential:
- Custom Abutment Creation: The abutment is the connector between the implant and the crown. It’s often custom-made to ensure the final crown sits correctly and looks natural.
- Precision Crown Milling: Using advanced materials like zirconia or porcelain, the lab mills the crown to the exact specifications provided by the dentist.
- Shade Matching and Aesthetics: A crucial step is making sure the new crown blends in seamlessly with your other teeth. Technicians have a keen eye for color and light to create a restoration that is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Without a quality dental implant lab, the implant process wouldn’t be as successful. We are the partners who bring the dentist’s vision to life, ensuring every detail is perfect.
The Intraoral Scanner Revolution
In the past, the journey from your mouth to our lab started with a messy, uncomfortable physical impression. A tray full of soft material would be placed in your mouth, and you’d have to wait for it to harden. While it worked, it had its downsides: gagging, discomfort, and the potential for small errors that could lead to ill-fitting restorations and delays.
This is where the dental intraoral scanner enters the picture. This small, handheld wand is the modern-day solution for getting a detailed model of your mouth.
Here’s how it works and why it’s a major step forward:
- Digital Imaging: The scanner uses a tiny camera and light to capture thousands of images of your teeth and gums in real-time.
- 3D Model Creation: Specialized software stitches these images together instantly to create a highly accurate, three-dimensional digital model of your mouth.
- Comfort and Speed: The process is quick, clean, and completely comfortable for patients. There’s no gooey material, and the scan can be completed in just a few minutes.
- Unmatched Accuracy: The precision of a digital scan is remarkable. It captures fine details that can be missed with traditional impressions, leading to a more accurate fit and less need for adjustments.
The dental intraoral scanner has changed the patient experience. It’s also changed our workflow at Iverson Dental Labs. The digital file is sent to us instantly, so there’s no waiting for a physical impression to be shipped. This means we can start working on your restoration much sooner, which shortens your overall treatment time.
The Seamless Digital Workflow at Iverson Dental Labs
Our lab has fully embraced the digital revolution. When we receive a digital scan from a dentist, the process is streamlined and efficient. We use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to review and refine the restoration on a computer screen. This allows us to make sure every detail is perfect before we even begin to mill the crown.
The CAD file is then sent to our Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems—our high-tech milling machines and 3D printers. This digital-to-physical process is incredibly precise, resulting in restorations with perfect margins and a natural look.
The benefits of this integrated workflow are clear:
- Better-Fitting Restorations: The superior accuracy of the dental intraoral scanner and our CAD/CAM technology means the final crown fits perfectly from the start.
- Faster Turnaround Times: The elimination of shipping time allows us to produce and return the final product to your dentist much more quickly.
- Improved Communication: The digital files allow for easy, secure communication between our lab and the dental office, so we can collaborate on complex cases with no delays.
- Fewer Appointments: A better-fitting restoration means fewer chairside adjustments, which saves you time and trips to the dentist’s office.
Partnering for Your Perfect Smile
A dental implant is a significant investment in your health and confidence. That’s why it’s so important to work with a team that has the best tools and expertise. At Iverson Dental Labs, we are proud to be at the forefront of this digital transformation. We believe that by combining the skill of our technicians with the precision of modern technology like the dental intraoral scanner, we can deliver the highest quality restorations possible.
We are a dental implant lab committed to excellence. Our goal is to support dental professionals and their patients by providing restorations that are not only durable and functional but also beautifully natural. We are here to help create that perfect smile you’ve been wanting.
