The Future of Dental Diagnostics: Can Intraoral Scanners Replace Traditional Tools?

• Dr Ritika Jindal,*  
• Dr Vimal Arora

Abstract

Intraoral scanners (IOSs) have revolutionized dental diagnostics by enabling detailed 3D digital impressions of the oral cavity. These devices offer numerous advantages, such as precision, efficiency, and patient comfort, in procedures like orthodontic treatment planning. However, their potential to replace traditional diagnostic tools, such as clinical visual examinations, X-ray imaging, and functional assessments, is limited. While IOSs excel at capturing surface-level anatomy, they cannot detect underlying conditions like caries, bone loss, or soft tissue pathologies, for which traditional imaging techniques remain essential. This review explores the current capabilities and limitations of intraoral scanners in dentistry, particularly their role in diagnosing oral pathologies, and discusses how combining IOSs with conventional tools can enhance diagnostic accuracy. The future of dental diagnostics may see further integration of intraoral scanners, with advancements in artificial intelligence and teledentistry, making them an indispensable complement to traditional methods rather than a complete replacement.

Keywords

Intraoral scanners, digital impressions, dental diagnostics, orthodontics, X-rays, clinical examination, soft tissue assessment, artificial intelligence, teledentistry, dental technology.