In today’s digital world, speed and precision are everything – especially when it comes to 3D imaging and scanning. But what makes modern scanners so much faster and more accurate than their predecessors? The answer lies in a powerful concept called parallel processing.
What Is Parallel Processing in Dental Technology?
What Is Parallel Processing in Dental Technology?
Let’s start with the technical definition:
Parallel processing is the ability of a computer to perform multiple operations simultaneously. This is made possible by using the multitude of cores within the GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) to process the large amount of data captured by the DEXIS Imprevo scanner.
Imagine you’re tasked with sorting thousands of papers. If you do it alone, it takes hours. But if 24 people help you, each sorting a portion, the job gets done much faster. That’s parallel processing in action—many processors working at the same time to speed things up.
Why Parallel Processing Matters for Intraoral Scanners
Why Parallel Processing Matters for Intraoral Scanners
Take a typical intraoral scanner. It creates a 3D image by capturing a series of 2D images. Each image includes a projected mesh that bends depending on the surface it hits. The software then stacks these images to reconstruct a 3D model, like a tooth or an implant.
Here’s the challenge:
Even if the scanner captures tons of data, the system can only process so much. Between transmitting data from the scanner to the PC and interpreting it to build a 3D image, a lot of valuable information gets discarded.
Think of the data as steppingstones across a river. Ideally, the software would use every stone to cross safely. But with limited processing power, some stones are removed, and the software must guess the path. That’s where accuracy and detail suffer.
Enter Parallel Processing for Dental Technology
Enter Parallel Processing for Dental Technology
CPU vs GPU: What’s the Difference?
Modern CPUs like the Intel i9 have around 24 cores – each a mini brain capable of processing data. That’s impressive compared to older quad-core chips. But GPUs (graphics processing units) take it to another level. They have thousands of cores. While each core is less versatile than a CPU core, they excel at doing one task repeatedly and quickly.
When scanners use GPUs for processing, they can retain and process much more data. The result?
- More accurate 3D models
- Better zoom and detail
- Less need to rescan surfaces
- Faster overall performance
It’s like watching a low-resolution video on a 4K TV. If the video lacks data, it looks pixelated. But with high-resolution footage, every detail pops. That’s what parallel processing enables in scanners like the DEXIS Imprevo.
How This Benefits Dental Professionals
Thanks to parallel processing, scanners like DEXIS Imprevo can handle more data than traditional systems. For doctors and technicians, this translates to:
- Fewer passes over the same area
- Better detail in a single scan
- Faster, more accurate results
“DEXIS Imprevo does more of the work for you, letting you be more relaxed and efficient.”
Final Analogy: The Smart Vacuum for Dental Scanning
Think of DEXIS Imprevo like a powerful vacuum cleaner. You don’t need to keep going over the same spot to pick up pet hair. It does more of the work for you, letting you be more relaxed and efficient.
Parallel processing isn’t just a tech buzzword — it’s the engine behind smarter, faster, and more accurate scanning. And with innovations like DEXIS Imprevo, the future of 3D imaging is already here.
Want to learn more about how the DEXIS Imprevo, powered by IS ScanFlow can transform your dental imaging workflow?
Discover the technology behind smart, fast scans and see why leading practices are making the switch today.
DEXIS, part of the Envista family of brands, is a global leader in dental imaging, uniting the industry’s most trusted brands across 2D and 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, and diagnostic software within a single, connected, AI-powered ecosystem. Our innovative and award-winning technologies are designed with smart simplicity to streamline workflows, enhance diagnostic precision, increase productivity, and support better patient outcomes. By unifying imaging and diagnostic tools under one brand, DEXIS empowers dental professionals to diagnose with greater confidence and deliver more efficient care with one connected ecosystem – built on choice.
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