The Adoption and Impact of Dental Scanners in Dental Clinics across Punjab, India: Need of the Hour - A Questionnaire Study

Background: The aim of this article was to determine the adoption and impact of dental scanners in dental clinics across Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms to 450 dental clinics to gather data on the usage, benefits, and challenges associated with dental scanners. The findings highlight the growing trend of digital dentistry and its implications for clinical practice. Results: The survey conducted across 450 clinics in Punjab revealed that 60% of clinics do not use dental scanners, highlighting a significant gap in the adoption of this technology. Among the 40% of clinics that do use dental scanners, 25% utilize intraoral scanners, 10% use extraoral scanners, and 5% employ both types. The majority of these clinics have adopted dental scanners relatively recently, with only a small percentage using them for more than five years. Conclusion: Intra Oral Scanner (IOS) system is less time consuming when compared with other conventional methods. In terms of patient benefits, it reduces pain and discomfort. Ease of communicating with patients and educate them by providing video presentations before delivering any appliance or prostheses. Advanced technology is reshaping the future of digital dentistry, not only in orthodontics but also in other fields of dentistry as well.