If you have ever had a dental impression taken with the traditional putty material — held in your mouth for several minutes while it sets — you will understand why patients sometimes find dental visits uncomfortable. At Peninsula Dental Clinic in Mornington, we use the Panda 3D intraoral scanner, which has made dental impressions faster, more comfortable and significantly more accurate.
What Is the Panda 3D Intraoral Scanner?
The Panda 3D scanner is a compact, pen-like device that your dentist moves gently around your mouth, capturing thousands of images per second that are immediately compiled into a precise three-dimensional digital model of your teeth and gums. The entire scanning process takes 3–5 minutes and is completely comfortable — no putty, no gagging, no wait for material to set.
The digital model is immediately visible on screen — allowing your dentist to show you exactly what is happening with your teeth in real time. This visual feedback dramatically improves patient understanding of their dental condition and treatment plan.
Why Digital Impressions Are Superior to Traditional Putty
Traditional putty impressions have been used in dentistry for decades, but they come with significant limitations:
- Putty can distort during removal or transit to the laboratory, affecting restoration fit
- The gag reflex makes traditional impressions uncomfortable for many patients
- A second impression is sometimes required if the first is inaccurate
- Physical models must be stored or posted to laboratory — adding time and risk of loss or damage
Digital impressions eliminate all of these issues. The model is dimensionally stable, instantly transmittable to the laboratory, and stored securely for future reference.
What Is 3D Scanning Used For?
At Peninsula Dental Clinic, we use 3D scanning for a wide range of treatments including dental crowns and bridges, ceramic inlays and onlays, night guards and occlusal splints, and treatment planning for cosmetic cases. The digital model allows us to plan treatment virtually before anything is done to your teeth, and to share your records securely with specialists if required.
No Additional Cost for Scanning
3D scanning is included in the cost of relevant treatments — there is no additional fee. For patients who previously experienced discomfort with putty impressions, this technology often completely changes their dental experience.