Digital Dental Impressions: An Option Without Trays
3D Printing and Dentistry
We recently had a patient that simply could not tolerate dental impressions, however it had to be done to complete her treatment. So we used a digital 3D scanner to scan her mouth and had her models 3D be printed. Technology in dentistry today is amazing!
Yes, in many situations a digital 3D scan can record the shape of your teeth instead of a tray filled with impression material. We used this approach for a patient who simply could not tolerate traditional impressions. A scan isn't the right tool for every step of every treatment, but when it fits, it can make an uncomfortable part of the visit much easier.
A patient who couldn't tolerate impressions
We recently treated a patient who could not get through a traditional dental impression. The impression still had to be taken to finish her treatment, so we needed another way to record her teeth.
Instead of a tray, we used a digital 3D scanner to scan her mouth. The scan was then used to 3D print physical models of her teeth, which gave us what we needed to complete her care without the step she found so difficult.
What is a traditional dental impression?
A traditional impression uses a tray filled with a soft material that sets in a few minutes. It captures a mold of your teeth and gums. The mold is used to make models, crowns, bridges, night guards, aligners and other appliances.
For many people this is only a minor inconvenience. For others, the tray, the taste or texture of the material, or a strong gag reflex makes it very hard to tolerate.
How does a digital scan work?
A digital impression uses a small handheld scanner that is moved over your teeth. It records many images and combines them into a 3D model on the computer screen. There is no tray of material to hold in your mouth.
You still need to keep your mouth open while the scan is taken, and the scanner tip moves around your teeth. Most people find that easier than a full tray, and the scan can be paused if you need a break.
Where does 3D printing come in?
The digital model can be sent to a 3D printer to make a physical model of the teeth. That model can be used in the same ways a stone model from a traditional impression is used, such as checking the bite or making an appliance.
Is a scan always used instead of an impression?
No. I choose the method that gives the most accurate record for that particular step. Some situations still call for a traditional impression. The scan is a tool that helps when it fits the treatment, and it doesn't replace the examination and judgment that go into planning your care.
Research supports what we saw with this patient. A 2025 systematic review of studies on implant restorations found that patients consistently preferred digital impressions to traditional ones, and that scanning took less time in the studies that measured it. That review looked at implant treatment specifically, so it doesn't answer every question about other procedures.
If impressions have been hard for you
Tell us before your appointment if impressions, a strong gag reflex or dental anxiety have made past visits difficult. We can talk about which steps of your treatment could use a scan and how to make the visit more comfortable.
You can read more about the digital and 3D imaging we use, see what to expect at your first visit on our new patients page, or contact our Jacksonville office at 3675 Hendricks Avenue. You can also call the office at 904-398-1549.
Sources
Ribeiro CSC, Brandão MTO, Moreira GC, Bitencourt SB, de Carvalho RF, Lemos CAA. Intraoral scanning versus conventional impression for implant prostheses: a systematic review. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2025;33(2):206-218. doi:10.1922/EJPRD_2811Ribeiro13 (retrieved via PubMed)
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Shark Teeth and Human Dental Biology
What shark research can—and cannot—tell us about human teeth, tooth replacement, and preventive dental care.
Shark teeth are interesting models for studying biology, but they are not a guide to treating human teeth. Research into tooth development does not mean people can replace lost adult teeth naturally or skip ordinary preventive care.
Can shark research explain how human teeth developed?
It can help researchers ask questions, but comparisons need care. A 2021 study led by the University of Bristol and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center examined 415-million-year-old fossils of acanthodians, early relatives of sharks. It found that the teeth of living sharks do not represent the ancestral dentition of all jawed vertebrates. Complex arrangements of teeth have been gained and lost many times through evolutionary history, so tooth replacement in living sharks is not the most direct model for human dental problems.
Does this mean tooth regeneration is a treatment option?
No. The evolutionary study does not establish a treatment for patients. If you have a missing or damaged tooth, decisions should start with an examination and the options appropriate for your mouth. Our guide to dental implants explains one replacement option, and a crown may be considered for some damaged teeth.
What is the practical lesson for your teeth?
Focus on protecting the teeth you have. Use fluoride toothpaste appropriate for your needs, clean between your teeth, and arrange regular dental examinations. Biology research can improve understanding without changing what an individual patient needs today.
At our San Marco office in Jacksonville, an examination connects your symptoms, medical history and dental findings to a treatment plan. Contact CJ Henley, DMD if you have a tooth concern.
Sources
Rücklin M, King B, Cunningham JA, Johanson Z, Marone F, Donoghue PCJ. Acanthodian dental development and the origin of gnathostome dentitions. Nat Ecol Evol. 2021;5(7):919-926. doi:10.1038/s41559-021-01458-4. Retrieved via PubMed.
University of Bristol. New study sheds light on the deep evolutionary origins of the human smile. May 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.