Digital Scanning and Design
Medit
Medit is a 3D scanning technology company founded in Seoul, South Korea, in 2000. The company started in industrial 3D scanning and entered dentistry in 2018 with its first intraoral scanner, the i500. Today it is known for intraoral scanners such as the i700 and i900, the T-Series lab scanners, and the Medit Link software platform. Its devices are used through a distributor network in more than 100 countries.
Use at the clinic
Medit intraoral scanners are used to take digital impressions. For crowns, veneers and implant restorations a short scan replaces impression putty, so your treatment is planned on an accurate 3D model of your teeth. The reason this method is chosen in the clinic is that it is easier on the patient and the model appears directly on the computer.
Strengths
No impression trays
The scan is taken with a small camera wand that moves around your mouth. There is no tray of impression putty, which makes the visit far more comfortable if you have a strong gag reflex.
You see the result straight away
A full-colour 3D model of your teeth builds up on the screen as you are scanned. You can see exactly what your dentist is describing on your own teeth, not on a diagram.
Open data system
Medit exports scan data in open file formats such as STL. Your impression works with a wide range of labs and design software, so your treatment plan is not locked into a single system.
Digital workflow
The scan is sent to the lab electronically, with no physical mould to ship or store. Your impression stays in a digital archive and can be reused if it is needed again.
Points to consider
Not always enough on its own
Margins that sit deep below the gum line, or heavy bleeding, can make scanning difficult. In those situations your dentist may choose a conventional impression or combine both methods.
It is not a diagnostic device
An intraoral scanner captures the surface of your teeth and gums. It does not show bone, tooth roots, or decay inside a tooth, so X-ray imaging is still needed for diagnosis.
Results depend on technique
The quality of a digital impression depends on scanning technique and workflow as well as the device itself. That is why scans should be taken by a trained team.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does an intraoral scan hurt?
- No. The scanner wand glides around your mouth with little or no contact, and nothing is cut or pressed. If you need a pause during the scan, it simply continues from where it stopped.
- How is a digital impression different from a putty impression?
- With a digital impression there is no tray of putty in your mouth; your teeth are scanned with a small camera and the model appears directly on a computer. Most patients find it more comfortable, though in some specific cases your dentist may still choose a conventional impression.
- Does the Medit scanner use radiation?
- No. Intraoral scanners are optical devices that work with light only, without the ionising radiation used in X-rays. That is why a scan can be repeated whenever it is needed.
Let's find the right system for you
The right brand and system for you becomes clear after a clinical assessment. Reach out to our team with any questions.