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 this “iTero™ scanner” thing?

Well, if you thought the benefits of Invisalign treatment only extended to the comfort¹, convenience, and near-invisibility of Invisalign clear aligners, we’ve got some good news for you — it gets way better with the iTero intraoral scanner!

This device can be described as a revolution in digital dentistry. It scans your teeth in 3D (more about that soon), which completely removes the need for the old-school yuckiness of 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 a massive leap forward when it comes to modern teeth straightening.

1. What is an iTero scanner?

The iTero scanner itself is essentially a portable device with a hand-held scanning “rod” 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 — one of the most advanced clear aligner systems in the world. 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?

The iTero scanner is quick, easy and comfortable to use. The orthodontist will simply hold the device in their hand and move it around your mouth, 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. There is also no harmful radiation² or any other nasties to worry about. 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 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 (and yucky) method of taking teeth impressions with putty. You don't have to worry about feeling claustrophobic or having gag reflexes with the iTero scanner!

The iTero scanner also gives an image 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 orthodontist’s chair in no time³.

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 Pro⁴. It adds extra (yes 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 orthodontist, 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’. The results will still have the same safety, predictability, and comfort you expect from Invisalign treatment. Many orthodontists, 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 orthodontist 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. There is no harmful radiation involved⁵, 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 safe hands with 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 provider utilising the iTero scanner through our Find a Doctor page.

Once you make an appointment, your Invisalign-trained provider 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 — including a scan with the iTero scanner (depending on your provider)!

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!