The Evolution of Intraoral Scanners
Initially, metal braces were the only options available to align your teeth for a straighter smile. With metal braces, pressure is applied to teeth through a wire that runs through brackets. Each bracket is, in turn, attached to a single tooth. Aligners, on the other hand, use clear trays made of medical-grade plastic to apply pressure to teeth.
The FDA approved aligners back in 1999. This treatment proved to be quite popular. Just five years after this approval, more than 200,000 people had benefitted from this technology. When this treatment first started, however, stone models of a patient’s teeth were the only options available for customizing aligners.
Aligners are very particular in how they apply pressure. They are designed to move teeth a quarter of a millimeter every two weeks. Consequently, a patient’s pressure requirements change every two weeks. This is why Invisalign patients change aligners every fortnight. Accurate and up-to-date intraoral scans guide aligner design for the best results. Aligners have magnified the need for detailed scanning, paving the way for the development of intraoral scanners.
The History of iTero Scanners
Intraoral scanners or itero scan can be traced back to the late ’80s. The first real scanner was invented in 1985. However, the scanners of the ’80s are worlds away from the modernized versions we use today. As will be illustrated shortly, the technology is a long way from what it was back then.
On the technical side, a revolutionary player entered the market in 2007 — iTero intraoral scanners. These scanners are synonymous with accuracy. A recent study of over 170,000 cases revealed that they reduce alignment rejection ten-fold and fit issues seven-fold.
This scanner is especially favorable for our Invisalign patients. iTero intraoral scanners integrate seamlessly with the Invisalign system to allow for a highly digitized experience. For patients, that means no more gagging while getting a dental impression, no more goop, no more discomfort, and no more long wait for aligners. The smooth integration of iTero and the Invisalign system significantly speeds up the production of aligners. This is because Intraoral scans are transmitted to the IDS (Invisalign Doctor Site) three times faster than Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions.
The smooth integration of iTero and Invisalign also affords your orthodontist the unique opportunity to micro-manage your progress. This focused approach to teeth alignment allows for faster and more accurate results.
How do iTERO Intraoral Scanners work?
iTero scanners feature a laser, or light-emitting wand, that is run through your mouth to create an equivalent digital 3D impression. The wands of today are significantly smaller than the wands of previous intraoral scanners. The bigger wands of the past were impossible to manoeuvre for a complete scan. Consequently, older intraoral scanners were criticized for their inability to create accurate impressions of a patient’s molars. On the contrary, the iTero wand is small enough to reach the farthest molars: a massive win for intraoral scanners.
A smaller wand size also means you don’t have to open your mouth uncomfortably wide. The reduced size also gives the orthodontist more flexibility as they take your scan. During the scanning process, flexibility always means greater detail. iTero digital impressions are, therefore, both quick and accurate.
iTero scanners also allow for real-time simulations. This means that you get to watch the generation of your dental impression as the wand moves through your mouth. The simulation gives you a bigger role and increased control in the process. All resultant scans can be forwarded to your aligner manufacturer of choice if you wish
HOW iTERO Intraoral Scanners work with Invisalign Systems
The iTero-Invisalign integration gives patients two main benefits:
- Outcome simulation
- Invisalign Progress Assessment (IPA)
Outcome Simulation
The Invisalign Outcome Simulator is exclusively iTero-powered. It not only allows patients to see their scans come to life in real-time, but it also simulates the final results on-screen. That way, you get to suggest changes before it’s too late. These projected corrections also give you something to look forward to. The visualization has also been instrumental in helping patients plan for future treatments. It’s not unheard of for a patient to plan for further orthodontic intervention after they realize that scheduled treatments won’t give them their desired smiles on their own.
Invisalign Progress Assessment
The Invisalign Progress Assessment is an Invisalign tool that allows us to monitor the progress of your treatment. The tool compares your scans to your ClinCheck treatment plans. If there is a substantial difference between the projected results and the results exhibited, Invisalign will respond appropriately. The Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS) receives reports of your progress, allowing the company to iterate your aligners for the best results.
Who qualifies for iTERO Scanning?
Everyone qualifies for our intraoral scanning services who would like to have aligner treatment especially with Invisalign. Our scanners use radiation-free lasers, which guarantee both safety and accuracy. Intraoral scanning is especially appealing to teens, those involved in sports, and anyone who must speak in public. Yet they also have benefits anyone can appreciate.
Other Uses for Scans
Below are four situations outside of teeth alignment that may necessitate an intraoral scan:
- Creation of dentures
- Creation of dental crowns
- Preparation for oral surgery
- Dental records
Dentures
Dentures need to fit perfectly into the spaces left behind by missing teeth. Therefore, an accurate understanding of the patient’s mouth must guide denture creation. Intraoral scans enhance the accuracy of dentures, reducing the risk of a misfit.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cover teeth in cases of severe discoloration, decay, and chipping. The crowns cover the tooth above the gum. Intraoral scans customize crowns to your teeth, affording you a natural-looking smile.
Oral Surgery
Intraoral scans provide dental professionals with valuable insight into a patient’s mouth dynamics, which makes jaw surgery far easier and more accurate.
Dental Records
Accurate dental records allow dental professionals to offer patients high-quality care and informed follow-up for the best results. Our iTero scanners guarantee precise and detailed records.
At Beautica Dental Center, we use the most advanced scanning technologies to deliver the best treatment results.
Our iTero Element 5d plus scanner from Invisalign is one of the best scanner as it has radiation-free Caries detection using NIRI technology, high-speed scanning that improves efficiency, and the elimination of traditional messy impressions for a more comfortable patient experience. It also offers Invisalign integration, precision for better-fitting dental work, and time-lapse technology to track treatment progress.
We also use 3Shape intraoral scanner which has greater patient comfort, speed, and accuracy compared to traditional methods, leading to faster treatment times and better-fitting restorations. The system improves patient-dentist communication through real-time visualization and streamlines the dental lab workflow, resulting in reduced waste and fewer remake