Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S.
3M ESPE
Digital workflow with the Lava C.O.S. initiates accurate, high-speed digital impressions for quality, precise-fitting restorations.
3M ESPE’s Lava Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S. combines revolutionary hardware design, high-speed image processing algorithms, and real-time modeling software to ensure high-quality, precisely fitting restorations.
While traditional point-and-click technologies use individual “snapshots” to assemble a model, the Lava C.O.S. features 3D-in-motion technology in which continuous 3D video images are captured. In addition to capturing massive amounts of visual images in only seconds, the system then models the data in real time, providing instantaneous feedback by displaying the captured images on the touchscreen monitor.
Impression Quality and Restoration Fit
The 3D-in-motion technology enables the user to capture approximately 20 3D data sets per second (close to 2400 data sets per arch). Real-time visualization allows immediate assessment of preparation and tissue management in ways never before possible, while enabling interactive chairside review with patients. Because dentists and labs have the same advanced tools, labs can mark the margin knowing they are seeing precisely the same images as those viewed by the dentist.
Quality of digital impressions was rated as excellent by all 10 dentists who evaluated the Lava C.O.S. Nine evaluators rated the fit of resultant restorations— 8 as excellent and 1 as very good. “It captures more data and lets you see what’s being scanned in real time…no guesswork,” said 1 evaluator. Another evaluator noted that “seeing preparations magnified and in 3D lets you evaluate and improve them. The patient wow factor is an added benefit.”
Reduction of retakes was rated as excellent by 6 evaluators, as very good by 2, and as good by 1 (1 evaluator did not rate this item). Reduction in seating times was rated as excellent by 7 evaluators, as very good by 2, and as fair by 1. When asked what features they liked best, 2 dentists cited final restoration fit, 2 cited reduced seating times, and another cited “accuracy, predictability, and patient perception.”
Ease of Use
The Lava C.O.S. streamlines restorative procedures from impression capture to fabrication, eliminating multiple steps at the dental office and lab. Ergonomic design further enhances ease of use; the wand houses a complex optical system of multiple lenses and blue LED cells but weighs only 14 ounces. The tip is just 13.2 mm wide, enabling optimal maneuverability and clearance.
The evaluators rated ease of use in terms of the software (8 as excellent and 2 as very good) and the unit’s ergonomics (5 as excellent, 4 as very good, and 1 as good). In addition, all 10 evaluators rated training as excellent. One of 2 evaluators who reported having issues with the powder called it “the weak link. It often clumps and comes out irregularly.” Another dentist, however, noted that “powdering is much less than with [other systems] and not a problem. There’s no mess, it’s faster than an impression, and there are savings in materials.” “I’ve done over 240 Lava C.O.S. scans. The digital workflow is wonderful,” commented 1 evaluator.
Indications
The Lava C.O.S. is the entry point to traditional and CAD/CAM processes. Four evaluators rated indications for use as excellent, 5 rated them as very good, and 1 rated them as good. One dentist said that he “can use my lab and do all my favorite restorations…no limit.”
Overall Satisfaction
All 10 evaluators said they would definitely or probably recommend and purchase the Lava C.O.S. One dentist reported “very positive patient acceptance,” and another called it “a good practice builder…patients love it.” Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent by 7 evaluators and as very good by 3. “I’ve been in practice for 22 years,” said 1 evaluator, “and this machine has renewed my love for dentistry. Thank you.”
