If you have ever had a dental crown, implant, or denture made, you probably remember the impression — the tray full of goopy material pressed over your teeth while you tried not to gag. Many modern practices now use a small digital camera instead, scanning your teeth in minutes. A major 2025 research review looked at 18 clinical studies to find out what patients actually prefer, and the results were clear.
What the Researchers Did
Scientists from Greece and Switzerland (Pachiou and colleagues) gathered every high-quality clinical study they could find comparing digital impressions (intraoral scanners) with conventional impressions (trays and putty-like material) for implant-supported fixed restorations — the crowns and bridges that attach to dental implants. They pooled results from 1,784 screened records down to 18 studies, then combined the data statistically. This kind of study — a systematic review with meta-analysis — is the strongest form of evidence short of a brand-new mega-trial.
What They Found
Across nearly every comfort measure, patients preferred the digital scan:
- Less anxiety. Patients reported significantly less anxiety with digital impressions than with tray impressions.
- Less nausea and gagging. The goopy tray is the classic gag trigger. Digital scans reduced nausea scores substantially.
- No bad taste. Conventional impression materials taste unpleasant. Digital scanning has no taste at all.
- More comfort, less discomfort. On both comfort and discomfort scales, digital impressions won by wide margins.
- Felt faster. Patients perceived the digital procedure as quicker, even when actual times were similar.
- Higher overall satisfaction. When asked to rate the whole experience, digital impressions scored significantly higher.
Two measures showed no meaningful difference: pain (neither method is really painful) and esthetic satisfaction with the final restoration. In other words, the scan doesn’t hurt less because nothing hurts — but everything about the experience feels better.
What About Accuracy?
Comfort is only half the question. The review focused on patient experience, but a companion body of research on accuracy tells a reassuring story: for single implants and short bridges, digital impressions match or beat conventional accuracy. Digital scans measure marginal gaps in the 30–90 micrometer range — comparable to the 35–100 micrometer range of conventional methods (a human hair is about 70 micrometers, for reference). For very long full-arch implant bridges, conventional impressions can still have a slight edge, so experienced clinicians choose the method that fits your specific case.
What This Means for You
If you gag easily, have a strong taste aversion, or feel anxious at the dentist, ask whether your practice offers digital impressions. For crowns, implants, and bridges on a few teeth, you can expect an experience that research shows is more comfortable, less nauseating, and faster-feeling — with accuracy that meets modern standards.
Have questions about crowns or implants? Dr. Leila Nikpour is a prosthodontist in Roseville with more than 15 years of dentistry experience and 2,500+ dental implants placed. Call Expert Dental Group at (916) 888-1646 or visit 5070 Foothills Blvd, Suite 2, Roseville, CA 95747 (Mon–Fri 9–6, Sat 9–1).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are digital dental impressions as accurate as traditional ones?
For single crowns, single implants, and short bridges, research shows digital impressions match or exceed conventional accuracy. For very long full-arch cases, your dentist may still choose conventional methods.
Do digital impressions hurt less?
Neither method is painful, so pain scores showed no difference. But digital impressions scored significantly better on comfort, anxiety, nausea, and overall satisfaction.
Why do some dentists still use tray impressions?
Conventional impressions remain preferable for certain complex cases — highly angled implants, deep gum margins, or very long bridges — where digital scans can struggle. A good clinician picks the method that fits your mouth.
How long does a digital scan take?
Typically just a few minutes. Patients in the studies also perceived the digital procedure as faster than tray impressions.
Is a digital impression better for people who gag?
Yes. The pooled research showed significantly less nausea and gagging with digital scans, because there is no tray of material sitting in your mouth.
References
- Pachiou A, Zervou E, Sykaras N, Tortopidis D, Ioannidis A, Jung RE, Strauss FJ, Kourtis S. Patient-Reported Outcomes of Digital Versus Conventional Impressions for Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. 2025;15(9):427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15090427