Intraoral Scanner
Pronunciation: in-truh-OR-ul SKAN-er
Also written as: IOS — Intraoral Scanner
A handheld optical device used chairside to capture a digital three-dimensional impression of the teeth and soft tissues, replacing traditional alginate impressions.
Full Definition
An intraoral scanner (IOS) is a digital imaging device that projects structured light or laser patterns onto oral structures and captures a real-time 3D digital model. In orthodontics, the resulting digital impression is used to fabricate aligners, retainers, and study models, and to produce virtual setups. Common commercial systems include iTero, CEREC Omnicam, and 3Shape Trios. Editors must hyphenate 'intraoral' as a compound modifier before a noun only when used attributively; it is widely accepted as a single unhyphenated word in clinical literature. The abbreviation IOS should be expanded on first use.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred unhyphenated form is 'intraoral scanner' in current clinical literature. Expand 'IOS' on first mention.
In Context
- "Digital impressions taken with the intraoral scanner were uploaded directly to the aligner manufacturer's portal." — Clinical workflow documentation
- "The submission used 'intra-oral scanner' inconsistently; the editor standardized to 'intraoral scanner' throughout." — Copy-editing note for peer-reviewed article