Recent developments in digital dentistry have been remarkable. While CAD/CAM technology for manufacturing prosthetic devices based on a model has reached the stage of maturity, intraoral scanners with high versatility and excellent precision in impression-taking have been developed and attracted attention. The author has already used an intraoral scanner for nearly all cases of treatments that are not covered by insurance. This article reports on the various advantages and numerous clinical applications of intraoral scanners in implant treatments, which have achieved the following favorable results:

1.Elimination of distortion in impression material and plaster, which had been unavoidable, and mitigation of discomfort

2.Examination and application that are possible only with virtual methods that utilize software programs

3.Reduction in material cost, prevention of infection, and reduction in transport time

4.Ability to take impressions even on teeth with large mobility; useful for immediate loading after tooth extraction

5.Faithful reproduction of provisional restoration

6.Application for implant overdentures and in home care

7.Use of the “IOS denture copying method” and “IOS copy denture method”

As listed above, intraoral scanners offer various advantages and are expected to become widely popular; the era of intraoral scanners has arrived.