5 Things to Know About the iTero Element™ 5D Scanner With Invisalign® Treatment

 

 

You’ve probably heard of Invisalign’s clear aligners and how they work, but what exactly is an “iTero™ scanner”?

The iTero scanner 3D images of your teeth  so it completely removes the need for the old-school putty dental impressions inside your mouth.

The benefits don’t end there either — so let’s take a quick look at what an iTero scanner is, how it works, and why it’s such an integral part of digital dentistry and modern day teeth straightening.

1. What is an iTero scanner?

The iTero scanner itself is essentially a portable device with a hand-held scanning wand that takes a “3D” likeness of your teeth by taking thousands of individual images. This intraoral scan is then used to create a virtual model of your teeth, which is then used to plan your Invisalign treatment.

The iTero scanner is optimized with the Invisalign clear aligner system in mind — the most advanced clear aligner system in the world¹. The whole idea of developing the iTero scanner was to bring the teeth moulding process into the 21st century, allowing for a modern, digital, and more pleasant method to make plan Invisalign clear aligners treatment.

2. How does the iTero scanner work?

Getting your teeth scanned can be a quick and easy process. The dentist or orthodontist will hold the device in their hand and move it against your teeth, taking a series of detailed images as they go.

The whole process only takes a few minutes, and there is no need for any anaesthesia or other preparation. You may feel a slight pressure as the device moves around your mouth, but it is otherwise completely painless.

The iTero scanner then creates a “3D image” of your teeth, which is used to plan your Invisalign treatment. It can also give the dentist or orthodontist a better idea of your teeth and overall oral health with its near-infrared imaging (NIRI) technology, which means it scans the internal structure of your teeth, as well as allows doctors to understand your oral health in real time. Pretty cool!

3. What are the benefits of using the iTero scanner?

There are plenty of benefits of using the iTero scanner, both for you and for your Invisalign-trained provider.

For starters, it is a lot more comfortable than the old-fashioned method of taking teeth impressions with putty.

The iTero scanner also provides images of your teeth much faster than putty impressions — in some cases, patient scans can be completed in as little as 60 seconds, so you’ll be in and out of the dentist’s chair in no time².

And finally, the best bit of all! The real party trick of the iTero scanner is its ability to show you simulations of what your teeth might look like after treatment. This is called the Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro³. It adds extra benefits with the treatment simulation. This means that you can preview your potential new smile in minutes with simulated in-face visualisation while discussing your treatment options with your doctor, so you can decide on the best outcome together.

It should be noted that Invisalign treatment can be done even when impressions are taken with ‘putty’. Your Invisalign aligners can be made still offering the predictability⁴ and comfort⁴ you expect from Invisalign treatment. Many doctors, however, are choosing to transition to a fully integrated and holistic digital dentistry workflow, and the iTero intraoral scanner is a big part of that. Talk to your dentist to discuss their particular methods and whether they are right for you.

4. Is the iTero scanner safe?

Yes, the iTero scanner is completely safe. and the whole process is completely painless. The scanner has been designed with your comfort in mind, and you can be sure that you are in good hands with your invisalign trained dental professional managing your Invisalign treatment.

5. How do I book an appointment for iTero scanning?

If you want to experience the benefits of the iTero scanner for yourself, then all you need to do is book an appointment with an Invisalign-trained doctor utilising the iTero scanner through our Find a Doctor page.

Once you make an appointment, your Invisalign-trained doctor will be able to advise you on whether Invisalign treatment is the right treatment for you, and if so, they will take you through the whole process.

The iTero scanner is a quick, easy and comfortable way to get 3D images of your teeth for Invisalign treatment. It’s just one of the many benefits of choosing Invisalign treatment, and we're sure you'll love seeing your potential new smile simulation in real-time!