Innovations in Intraoral Scanning: A Contemporary Review

Abstract

Intraoral scanners (IOS) represent a monumental leap in digital dentistry, fundamentally transforming the process of capturing three-dimensional (3D) digital impressions of oral structures and largely superseding traditional impression techniques. This comprehensive review meticulously examines the latest advancements in IOS technology, highlighting their increasingly diverse and sophisticated applications across the full spectrum of dental disciplines. We delve deeply into the continuous improvements in accuracy, operational efficiency, and enhanced patient comfort that these devices offer. A significant focus is placed on the transformative integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within IOS platforms, which is enabling unprecedented levels of diagnostic precision, predictive treatment planning, and automated analysis. The article thoroughly explores the utility of IOS in foundational areas such as restorative dentistry, orthodontics, and implantology, while also extending its scope to highly specialized domains like cleft care and forensic odontology. Furthermore, it meticulously details the evolving capabilities of IOS in critical diagnostic functions, including early caries detection, precise tooth shade matching, and the quantitative monitoring of various oral health conditions, such as progressive tooth wear and subtle gingival recession. While acknowledging persistent challenges related to initial investment costs, the learning curve for practitioners, and limitations in certain complex clinical scenarios, the relentless evolution and refinement of IOS technology unequivocally promise a future for dental care that is not only more streamlined and predictable but also profoundly more patient-centric and technologically advanced.