Over 15 years ago, iTeroⓇ launched its first intraoral scanner. As a disruption to traditional impressioning, intraoral scanning has revolutionized many dental and orthodontic procedures. Intraoral scanners make it possible to create, store and share digital patient records, a more pleasant experience for your patients, and a more effective storage method than conventional molds.
Early in iTero’s history, orthodontists quickly adopted intraoral scanning technology as an alternative to traditional impressioning. Having an easily exportable patient record in an STL file that can easily be shared with a mill or dental lab allowed for a more efficient exchange of dental records without requiring physical storage space. Plus, because iTero is manufactured by the same company as InvisalignⓇ, dental professionals working with the popular clear aligner brand saw the benefit of switching to intraoral scanning to improve their Invisalign workflow.
With greater affordability and access, intraoral scanners are seeing increased popularity in the general dentistry community as well as specialty practices. Today, we’re going to explore the most common uses for iTero scanners for general and specialty practices.
Restorative Procedures
iTero has powered over 10 million restorative procedures worldwide. Through an award-winning restorative platform, general and specialty practitioners are given a powerful scanning walkthrough to improve the treatment planning and case acceptance of restorative procedures. With these tools, an iTero scanner enhances restorative procedures such as crowns, bridges, implants, surgical guides, and more.
The restorative operator guide walks you and your staff through taking the necessary scans for restorative procedures, so you get the best results in a fraction of the time of other impressioning methods. The system guides through 5 scanning segments to complete the restorative process from treatment planning to prepped tooth.
Once scans are complete, iTero makes it easy to share results with both your patients and your labs/referrals. Restorative scans with iTero produce high-quality 3D images, perfect for chairside visualization with patients. Digital impressions make a realistic recreation for patient education and treatment planning. Patients have a very positive reaction to seeing their mouths in a digital impression.
3D Printing
In addition to supporting restorative procedures, an iTero scanner can be useful in 3D printed applications including dentures, night guards, and other removable appliances. The rising popularity of in-office 3D printing has improved the workflows of many dental and specialty practices. Completing a full arch scan in minutes, then transferring it to your 3D printer can keep your productivity as efficient as possible.
Treatment Planning and Patient Education
iTero scanners create a full-mouth 3D view of your patient, which can become a powerful tool in both your treatment planning and your treatment acceptance. Viewing the anatomical details in a 3D viewer helps you show patients what you see from the dental chair. Matched with your dental expertise, the 3D viewer helps you communicate treatment details with a visual aid never before available. All iTero scanners come standard with either a cart-style monitor or laptop configuration to help put the 3D viewer in the immediate eyes of your patient to help with chairside visualization.
Advantages of Using an iTero Scanner
The iTero intraoral scanner works by capturing radiation-free images via a thin wand tip inserted into and manipulated around the inside of a patient’s mouth. The wand captures thousands of frames per second which are then pieced together to capture the surface details of the patient’s mouth, including the teeth and soft tissue. The scanning process is easy, fast, noninvasive, and accurate, and is capable of taking full-arch scans in under a minute.
The smaller wands of modern iTero scanners are less invasive and easier to use on patients with strong gag reflexes. They also do not use radiation and capture images of the teeth and gums in real time which can be viewed on the display screen.
Moreover, iTero scanners do not require patients to cover their teeth with titanium dioxide powder, and also free dental and specialty professionals from the need to use and then store traditional impression media and stone models.
About the iTero Certified Pre-Owned Program
If you’re researching iTero for your restorative workflow, consider iTero’s latest CPO program. We are proud to be an authorized distributor of the iTero CPO program. When you purchase an iTero Element® Flex Foundation certified pre-owned intraoral scanner through Renew Digital, you can expect comparable performance to a new unit in the same model.
Your purchase will come with the handpiece, accessories (including autoclavable 2 tips) a carrying case, and a 3D-optimized laptop. Plus, your purchase has no recurring costs, with software, subscription and warranty included for three years. Learn more about this exclusive program and savings by contacting us at 888-246-5611 or by contacting us online.
