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The accuracy and quality of dental impressions directly influence the fit, functions, and aesthetics of dental restorations. Whether you are placing crowns, implants, or dentures, precision is non-negotiable.
For decades, traditional impression techniques dominated dental practices. However, the emergence of IPG (Intraoral photogrammetry) dental technology now offers a powerful digital alternative.
Understanding the fundamental differences between conventional and IPG dental impressions is important for both dentists and patients looking for optimal results in modern dentistry. This blog will give a detailed analysis.
IPG Dental Impressions Vs. Conventional Impressions in Dentistry
If you only have a vague understanding of IPG dental impressions, the following will compare conventional impressions with IPG impressions in terms of technical principles, accuracy, time efficiency, workflow integration, patient comfort, and cost:
1. Technical Principles
Conventional impressions involve using materials such as alginate or polyvinyl siloxane to physically capture the shape of the patient’s teeth and gums. The process involves manually placing a tray filled with impression material in the patient’s mouth, waiting for it to set, and then sending the mold to the dental lab. Next, the mold will be scanned and processed through CAD/CAM in the dental lab to fabricate the final restoration.
On the other hand, IPG dental impressions utilize digital scanning technology that captures high-definition, 3D images of the oral cavity. Once the scan is complete, the data can be directly transferred to the CAD/CAM system for fabricating the final restoration, eliminating the need for additional physical model production.
Here, IPG refers to the integration of intraoral photogrammetry with intraoral scanning technology. When placing high-precision coded scan bodies on dental implants, the IPG system analyzes the geometric relationships between these scan bodies in captured images to construct a 3D model. This enables rapid acquisition of:
· Precise implant position and angulation
· Detailed intraoral data of teeth and gingival soft tissues
This technology breaks through the precision limitations of edentulous implant, achieving perfect passive fit between multiple implants and significantly improving surgical success rates.
2. Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, conventional impressions, while long used in dentistry, are susceptible to distortion due to material shrinkage, patient movement, or human error during mixing and placement. Such errors may only be detected during the fabrication stage. Once identified, the entire process must be repeated.
In contrast, IPG dental impressions offer high-precision (micron level) scanning. Dentists can capture detailed and distortion-free scans that significantly enhance the fit and function of final restorations. Moreover, the dentist can zoom in on the screen to examine the scan and immediately rescan any problematic areas.
The use of digital impressions in dentistry ensures fewer remakes, better margins, and longer-lasting dental work.
3. Time Efficiency
Time is of the essence in both clinical and laboratory workflows. With conventional impressions, the process involves several steps: preparing the material, setting it in the mouth, waiting for it to cure, shipping it to the lab, scanning and CAD/CAM, and final restoration. Each step adds time and potential for error.
In contrast, IPG dental impressions are taken quickly and transmitted directly to the lab or in-house CAD/CAM system. This workflow significantly reduces chair time, shortens delivery times for restorations, and speeds up the overall treatment process. Patients also avoid multiple trips to the clinic.
4. Workflow Integration
One of the key advantages of IPG dental technology is its smooth integration with CAD/CAM systems. Once a scan is completed, it can be immediately used for designing, restorations, surgical guides, or prosthetics.
In contrast, traditional impressions must be physically packaged and sent to the lab, introducing delays and risks of distortion during handling.
5. Patient Comfort
For many patients, traditional impressions can be unpleasant. Bulky trays, gagging, and the taste of impression materials can create anxiety, especially in children or patients with sensitive gag reflexes.
IPG dental impressions offer a more comfortable experience. The non-invasive dental digital impressions process only involves a quick scan using a small, handheld scanner, making it particularly suitable for patients with strong gag reflexes and anxiety issues.
6. Cost Considerations
While IPG digital impression scanners require a higher initial investment, they offer rapid returns through improved efficiency, reduced chair time, fewer remakes, and less material waste. On the flip side, conventional impressions come with ongoing costs, such as impression materials, shipping, model storage, and potential remakes.
Over time, IPG dental systems have proven to be cost-effective, especially for clinics focused on high patient turnover and advanced restorative work.
IPG dental impressions provide major advantages in accuracy, patient satisfaction, efficiency, workflow integration, etc, making them a strong long-term solution in modern dental care.
IPG Dental Impressions in Special Cases
In addition to the above advantages, the convenience brought by IPG dental impressions in clinical practice cannot be overlooked—particularly in special cases involving edentulous implants, poor periodontal conditions, and children patients.
1. Edentulous Patients
Edentulous patients traditionally benefit from conventional impressions because they adapt well to soft tissues.
However, IPG dental technology has made major strides with edentulous scanning. Modern photogrammetry intraoral scanners can accurately capture gum contours, soft tissue details, and even undercuts that are hard to record using conventional methods.
SHINING 3D DENTAL’s Aoralscan Elite and Aoralscan Elite Wireless are representatives of IPG intraoral scanners.
2. Patients with Poor Periodontal Conditions
In cases of gum disease or inflammation, conventional impression materials can irritate tissues or increase bleeding, leading to poor outcomes.
IPG dental scanning offers a better alternative with its contactless, quick, and painless process. The scanner captures digital impressions in dentistry without exerting pressure on fragile tissues. It also reduces patients’ anxiety.
3. Children
Children are often uncomfortable with bulky impression trays and materials that trigger their gag reflex. The noise, smell, and long waiting time can cause anxiety or fear.
With IPG dental systems, digital teeth impressions are completed faster and more comfortably. Non-invasive digital scanning minimizes fear and keeps young patients calm, leading to better cooperation and more successful outcomes in pediatric dentistry.
SHINING 3D DENTAL’s IPG Dental Impression Scanner
If you are looking to adopt a future-forward approach to impressions, SHINING 3D DENTAL offers one of the most advanced IPG dental scanners on the market, including Aoralscan Elite and Aoralscan Elite Wireless. They feature:
· Up to 5μm accuracy for perfect restoration fit.
· Solves alignment challenges in edentulous cases.
· 194g weight and ergonomic design for comfortable handling.
· Fast and stable data transmission.
· Compatible with SHINING 3D DENTAL’s face 3D scanners for orthodontic simulation and smile design.
Final Words
Choosing between IPG dental impressions and conventional methods requires a comprehensive understanding of clinical needs, patient comfort, workflow demands, and long-term cost implications. While traditional impressions still have their place, the benefits of IPG dental technology are too significant to ignore.
Make the switch today with SHINING 3D DENTAL’s IPG dental impression scanner and experience a new standard in dentistry!
References
[1] Digital vs. conventional full-arch implant impressions: A comparative study. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312019991_Digital_vs_conventional_full-arch_implant_impressions_A_comparative_study (Accessed: 6 June 2025)
[2] Accuracy of intraoral photogrammetry versus direct digital implant impressions in the fully edentulous lower jaw: An in vitro study. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571225000995 (Accessed: 6 June 2025)