If you've ever needed a dental crown or orthodontic treatment, you probably remember the worst part of the visit: the cold, gooey, messy molds required to make an impression of your mouth.
At Greder Dental in Omaha, Nebraska, we believe that your dental care should be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That's why Jennifer Greder, DDS, and our team have replaced those old-fashioned trays with advanced digital dental impressions.
This modern technology allows us to capture highly accurate 3D images of your teeth in just minutes, completely eliminating the need for uncomfortable putty.
Digital dental impressions are precise 3D virtual models of your mouth captured using a slender, handheld optical scanner. Instead of biting down on a tray filled with thick, choking putty, we simply glide a small wand over your teeth. This wand captures thousands of images per second to stitch together a perfect digital model of your teeth on our screen.
Traditional physical materials used in dental molds often trigger a gag reflex in patients. Because our digital scanner doesn't use bulky trays, it completely avoids this trigger.
Research published in a 2025 issue of Journal of Personalized Medicine found that digital scanning led to a significant reduction in patient nausea and a massive improvement in overall comfort compared to traditional molds. You can breathe normally while our technician completes the scan and even pause it if you need to take a break.
Digital impressions offer superior accuracy, faster treatment times, and a much more comfortable experience for all patients. They eliminate the physical errors common with traditional putty, which can shrink or warp as it cures.
When we design tooth restorations like dental implants, plan clear aligners like Invisalign®, or craft a dental crown, precision is everything.
Research shows that digital impressions achieve an incredibly tight marginal fit — the microscopic seal between your new crown and your natural tooth — of just 24.5 micrometers, which is less than 0.03 millimeters, easily outperforming traditional physical impressions.
Additionally, digital scans cut the time you spend in the dental chair by more than half, taking an average of just 12.6 minutes compared to over 25 minutes for traditional molds.
Yes, digital scans are completely safe, free of radiation, and highly preferred by pediatric patients because they’re quick and there’s no gooey mess. They make dental visits much more engaging and less scary for younger patients.
Children often have smaller airways and higher sensory sensitivities, making traditional dental molds highly distressing. One study showed that pediatric patients are over four times more likely to prefer digital scanning over traditional impressions.
The interactive 3D model on our screen serves as a fun distraction, helping children feel involved in their own care. Whether your child needs preventive care or orthodontics, we make sure their experience is gentle and stress-free.
Whether you need a routine cleaning, cosmetic enhancements, or restorative treatments, our team at Greder Dental is dedicated to your comfort. And we're proud to bring the latest dental technology to our patients.
Schedule an appointment today to get started on your more comfortable journey to a healthier, happier smile!
