As time goes on we are seeing more and more advances in technology creeping into the Dental office. As of late, you may have seen some of our newest technology, a Digital Scanning system. We have watched this technology develop for the past 3 years, and feel that our patients will greatly benefit from it.
The iTero digital scanner features parallel confocal imaging, which uses laser and optical scanning to digitally capture the surface and contours of the tooth and gum structures. The iTero scanner captures 100,000 points of laser light and has perfect focus images of more than 300 focal depths of the tooth structure.
The iTero scanner creates a real-time, 3D model on the computer screen. This allows both the dentist and patient to visualize a full 360 degrees of the involved teeth. The data recorded is then electronically forwarded to our laboratory.
From the patients’ point of view, there are several differences from conventional tray impression taking. First off, the patient can see a model of their teeth being generated during the scan. This is particularly of interest during Invisalign scanning. Second, the patient will not have trays and materials setting in their mouth. This along with the accuracy of the digital scanner makes this technology a welcome addition to our practice.
We are currently utilizing the iTero scanner for digital impression taking for crowns, bridges, and implant crowns and for Invisalign orthodontics. All of our Doctors are trained in this leading edge technology. We feel that our patients will appreciate this level of state of the art technology.
If you would like to know more about this exciting and fascinating digital scanner, feel free to bring it up at your next appointment. We look forward to sharing these advancements with you.
And as they say, the “proof is in the pudding”, the final products produced utilizing this scanning system have been remarkable. As a whole, the crowns and Invisalign trays have seated more easily and accurately than ever before. This is an exciting time!
