180 Wisner Avenue Middletown, NY 10940
28 Carpenter Place Monroe, NY 10950
51 St. John Street Monticello, NY 12701
4 Spring Square Business Park Newburgh, NY 12550
Call Now
Remember that moment in the dental chair when a tray full of thick putty gets pushed into your mouth, and you’re told to breathe through your nose while trying not to gag? That memory is fading fast, thanks to a smarter way of capturing the shape of your teeth. Understanding how digital impressions work is the first step to seeing why so many patients never want to go back to trays.
For decades, getting a dental impression meant tolerating trays, cold putty, and a strong urge to gag. It was uncomfortable, sometimes messy, and often had to be repeated.
Digital impressions changed all of that. Using a small handheld wand, your provider captures a highly detailed 3D image of your teeth and gums in just a few minutes. No trays. No putty. No mess.
This technology isn’t experimental. It’s used every day in modern orthodontic and dental offices across the country, including right here at Bracesetters Orthodontics in the Hudson Valley. Below, you’ll learn what digital impressions are, how the technology works, what the appointment looks like, and why so many patients prefer them.
A digital dental impression is a 3D digital replica of your teeth, gums, and bite, captured with a small optical device called an intraoral scanner. Instead of biting into a tray of setting material, you sit back while a wand-shaped scanner glides around your mouth and builds a precise model on a chairside monitor in real time.
These digital scans are used to plan and create:
Because the image builds live on the screen, you and your provider can see exactly what’s being captured. No guessing, no waiting for material to set.
Digital scanners use optical technology, not radiation, to map your mouth. Two of the most common methods are structured light scanning and laser triangulation. Both work by projecting light onto your teeth and measuring how that light bounces back.
Here’s what happens inside the scanner:
Well-known scanner systems include iTero and 3Shape Trios. Each brand has its strengths, but they all share the same goal: an accurate, comfortable, and fast digital record of your smile.
Curious what actually happens in the chair? A digital impression works by having your provider glide a small optical scanner over your teeth, gums, and bite while software builds a 3D model on a nearby monitor in real time. The full scan usually takes only a few minutes per arch, and any missed area can be re-scanned on the spot.
Here is the step-by-step process:
Start to finish, most scans take only a few minutes per arch.
Both methods aim for the same result: an accurate model of your teeth. But the experience is very different.
For most patients, the biggest difference is simply how much easier the appointment feels.
Digital scanning isn’t just about swapping old tech for new. It changes the experience for the better in several ways.
At Bracesetters Orthodontics, no messy impressions required is one of the things our patient family appreciates most about their first visit.
Digital scans are the starting point for many modern treatments. In orthodontics, they play an especially important role. Common uses include:
If you’re considering treatment, a digital scan is likely the first step, and it’s one of the easiest parts of the entire process. Our new patient info page walks you through what to bring and expect.
If you’ve never had a digital scan before, here’s what to expect.
After the scan, your orthodontist walks you through the next steps, whether that’s designing your clear aligners, planning your braces, or sending records to a lab.
Schedule a free consult with Dr. Michael Skrobola, Dr. Jonathan Schlosser, and Dr. Mike Skrobola III at Bracesetters Orthodontics to experience a fast, comfortable digital scan for yourself. No pressure, no sales pitch, just honest, expert care.
Are digital impressions more accurate than traditional ones? In many cases, yes. Digital scans avoid the material shrinkage and distortion that can happen with traditional putty impressions, which often means better-fitting aligners and restorations.
How long do digital impressions take? Typically 3-5 minutes per arch. Full appointments usually run 15-30 minutes including setup and review.
Do digital impressions hurt? No. The scan is non-invasive and painless. Most patients say it feels like a small camera moving around their mouth.
Are digital impressions safe? Yes. Intraoral scanners use safe optical light, not radiation.
Are digital impressions covered by insurance? Coverage generally applies to the treatment itself (like aligners or a crown), not the impression method. Our team is happy to walk you through your options.
Can everyone get digital impressions? Digital scanning works well for nearly all patients, from young kids to adults. If there’s ever a reason a traditional impression is a better fit for your case, your provider will let you know.
Modern orthodontics should feel modern. Digital impressions are faster, more comfortable, and more accurate than the trays of the past, from your first scan through the final result.
If you’re ready to see how easy the first step can be, our patient family across Middletown, Monroe, Monticello, and Newburgh is welcome to book a free consult with the Bracesetters Orthodontics team. We’ll show you your smile in 3D, answer every question, and help you decide what’s next.
Your home for Hudson Valley smiles is ready when you are.