What is an iTero Scanner?

iTero Scanner Invisalign

The iTero® scanner is a device that is used by dentists and orthodontists to map out the mouth in preparation for improvements in the bite and smile. In order to do these things, information is needed that indicates the exact position and location of the teeth and gums. This is typically done by making impressions of the teeth. Without these impressions, it would not be possible to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The iTero® scanner works by using digital technology to come up with a 3D diagram of the mouth. It uses hundreds of focal points to come up with measurements in nearly every way imaginable. This basically becomes the blueprint by which the orthodontic product will be made. The scan is much more precise than what could be achieved with traditional impressions.

If you are a patient, you will appreciate the speed at which the iTero® scanner works. All the information necessary to develop the map of the mouth can be gathered in just a few minutes. As a result, you will spend much less time in the chair than you would with the traditional method.

The traditional way of making impressions involves the use of a liquid plaster product for making a mold of the teeth and gums. In order to do this, metal plates are placed in the mouth on the insides of both the upper and lower jaws. The liquid solution is then used to surround the teeth. The patient must sit until the solution becomes an elastic-like solid material. The mold that is formed through this process is then sent to the lab, which will make the final product.

The plaster that is used for traditional impressions makes a mess and, consequently, can be aggravating to the patient. Additionally, some of the solution can run down the throat and cause gagging. From start to finish, making dental impressions the old-fashioned way is a much lengthier and more tedious process than the quick and easy iTero® scanner.

The information gathered from the scanner is saved as a digital file on a computer. It is also electronically sent to the lab that will be making the products. Since the transmission can take place in nearly an instant, time is saved. It is not necessary to physically ship molds. These images are much more precise than what is achievable otherwise. This also benefits the patient because the end products fit much better.

Conventional vs Digital Impressions

digital impression of your teeth and jaw. The new technology completely eliminates the tray and putty impressions, where the experience is comparable to stuffing a big wad of gum in your mouth.

The old technique is incredibly unpleasant and frequently results in taking multiple rounds of impressions that can be rejected, broken, or misplaced. The iTero scanner ensures a more accurate impression from the start, resulting in improved treatment and a more comfortable patient experience. Digital impressions also give you the ability to see your teeth instantly in 3D, improving communication during the consultation and treatment process.

How Does it Work?

The iTero scanner digitally captures the structure of the teeth and gums using the latest optical technology. The scanner is a compact, hand-held wand. Once your orthodontist begins the scanning process, it can be stopped and started as many times as necessary.

Your mouth is scanned with a radiation-free laser, and in as little as two to three minutes, the laser renders a digitally perfect, 3D impression of your teeth and soft tissue structures. Through digital software, you’ll then be able to follow the progress of the scans, including a 3D model of your teeth on our computer screen. The iTero scanner can be used for any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign®.