Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
by Dr Jennifer Chan, Simply Teeth, West Perth, WA
Our practice recently transitioned from the CEREC Omnicam to the more advanced CEREC Primescan system. This intraoral scanner captures highly accurate digital scans and integrates seamlessly with CAD/CAM technology to facilitate the design and fabrication of custom dental restorations.
What’s good about it
Primescan delivers precise 3D imaging and offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The scanning process can be efficiently delegated to trained dental assistants, allowing for streamlined workflows and consistent results. Patients particularly appreciate the comfort of digital impressions eliminating the need for traditional impression materials that are often unpleasant and can trigger gag reflexes.
One of the key benefits is the ability to complete restorations in a single appointment. With our in-house milling unit, the digital workflow from scanning to final restoration is both fast and efficient. The practice effectively functions as its own dental lab, enabling complete control over the design, staining, glazing and polishing processes to produce highly aesthetic restorations.
Although the scanner head is slightly bulkier than that of the Omnicam, the image quality is significantly improved, offering clearer, more detailed images. While it can be used to scan a single tooth, scanning an entire quadrant often yields a more accurate occlusal relationship and better-fitting restorations.
In addition to ceramic restorations, the digital impressions captured with Primescan can be utilised to fabricate various other dental appliances, including occlusal splints and clear aligners. Due to its extensive capabilities, comprehensive training is highly recommended to fully maximise the system’s potential.
What’s not so good
Investing in the full CEREC system—including the scanner, milling unit and associated components—is a significant financial commitment. Additionally, effective utilisation requires dedicated training and a willingness to take on responsibilities traditionally handled by dental lab technicians, such as designing, staining, glazing and
polishing restorations.
