As a dental practitioner, would you like to be able to focus on your patients’ mouth, rather than your computer monitor? Well the game changer of intraoral scanning technology has arrived. There is now a scanner that makes that, and much more, possible. Carestreams’ new innovative and handheld CS 3500,  a 2D and 3D color intraoral scanner, features a sleek, lightweight design allowing for data to be captured quickly and easily. This design also allows for high angulation scanning up to 45 degrees and depth of -2 to +13 mm. No more focusing on your monitor just to ensure that an image was properly captured. It can scan conventional impressions to create high precision 3D models and the technique digitizes impressions so that crowns can easily be designed and milled. This scanner has an integration system that is similar to other open architecture computer platforms. It integrates with most practice management systems and can be connected to nearly any laptop or desktop through a USB 2.0 or 3.0 connection.

Single source integration reduces admin time and makes practice record keeping simple as data stores automatically in the patients file. The scanner has an intuitive software interface and is usable by both left handed and right handed people. No sprays or powders have to be used on the patients teeth or gingival tissue prior to scanning which provides for a more comfortable experience for the patient and practitioner. The scanner does not need an external heater. An internal heater is included to prevent the mirror from fogging up. It also does not require any traditional impress material or a trolley. For easier use, there are two image capture buttons on the scanner. There are also two modes for which it can be used called Feedback and Guide.

Guide mode is better for new users. It alerts the user if the scanner does not recognize the area (Feedback will wait until acquisition is captured). There is a tool called Light Guidance designed to ease use and assist workflow that has no effect on accuracy. This mode also features True Color which can distinguish dentin/enamel from tissue if prep is subgingival for margin definition. It also provides multi-media commands where user can select close up, still, and color photos to be exported with the scanned data. Lab technicians really appreciate this.

The other mode, Feedback, has two small but highly visible lights located on the scanners body. Green means the scan is good and that the software is building a file after each scan. The red light means the user is moving too much during the acquisition, and needs to recapture the image. If the user watches the lights, in most cases a scan can be completed in a matter of minutes. This mode allows the user to turn their attention towards capturing the image.

Finalizing and executing workflow is simple. The doctor selects the patient from the practice management software and launches the imaging software from their info. The scanners acquisitions launches from imaging and the user takes the scan and saves it into the patients file. Then, the doctor can export that scan as an stl file from the imaging software and send it to “CS Connect” and a web browser will automatically be opened where the users existing labs are listed.

To visit a dental office in San Diego with a CS 3500, visit https://www.613dentistrychulavista.com/