With the development of the technology, dental plaster models have been replaced by digital models that facilitate diagnosis and interdisciplinary planning, which is accelerating with the development of 3D scanners.The digital models are obtained directly or indirectly by any of mentioned three-dimensional scanning systems.The models created by directly mouth scanning provide many advantages on patients with cleft-palate-lip, gag reflex, mouth breathing, probable aspiration risk of the impression material, sedation requirements.The use of digital scanning systems and models should be encouraged in pediatric dentistry clinics.

Yes, digital models in pediatric dentistry offer significant advantages. They provide greater accuracy, enhanced patient comfort, and faster diagnostic workflows compared to traditional impressions. Especially for children, digital scans reduce anxiety and are less invasive. Additionally, digital models allow for better treatment planning, long-term monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration (AAPD, 2023; Journal of Dentistry for Children, 2022). However, their effective use requires investment in training and technology access to ensure equitable care.

They have typically been made of stone or plaster. Digital models have been invented to avoid several disadvantages of traditional models in terms of lifetime, portability, and storage and retrieval, offering various advantages namely, no laboratory procedure needed, the ability to create multiple diagnostic setups, no physical storage space required, fast and efficient retrieval at any location, no risk of physical damage, can be used to create indirect bracket bonding setups, precision in measurements such as tooth size, arch length and width, space analysis etc., and can be easily shared with other dental practitioners via email to facilitate interdisciplinary treatment planning, Ideal marketing tool because it enables virtual treatment objective (VTO) communication with patient, visualization of treatment outcome, and help the patient better understand the treatment process.

These can be obtained directly by intraoral scan 8 or indirectly by scanning an impression or plaster model. Software enables free toggling in all planes of space and even opened to allow upper and lower models to be viewed and manipulated separately.

Yes. We used for to accompany the development of occlusion and to perform analysis of the mixed dentition

Some limitations of digital dentistry need to be noted and issues related to data security and privacy need to be addressed to ensure that patient information is protected in digital systems. Another limitation is the reliance on technology, where technical deficiencies or system failures can disrupt workflows and potentially compromise patient care.

Digital models in pediatric dentistry enhance accuracy, aid treatment planning, and improve patient care, making dental visits more efficient and comfortable for children.