Dr. Sonia Talley and Dr. Katie Clark leverage the latest orthodontic tools at every step to design custom smiles and bring them to life more quickly, effectively, and comfortably.
One of these standout technologies is our iTero® scanner—a revolutionary intraoral scanner that takes digital impressions, improving the accuracy and efficiency of your Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment.
In this post, we discuss how the iTero scanner works and why we’re such big fans of the technology.
What is the iTero Scanner?
The iTero scanner is a high-tech, 3D teeth scanner that uses light energy to capture detailed digital impressions of your teeth and gums. Instead of relying on messy putty impressions, we use the handheld wand to take images in motion.
The images show up on the connected screen as we scan, creating a highly accurate 3D model of your mouth. Dr. Talley and Dr. Clark use the model for everything from digitally designing your new smile to crafting the clear retainers you’ll wear when you finish your Invisalign treatment. In fact, the technology is utilized to create all appliances (i.e., expanders, retainers, upper and lower holding wires) in the office.
How the iTero Scanner Enhances Invisalign Results
The iTero scanner makes it easier for Dr. Talley and Dr. Clark to achieve precise, predictable Invisalign results. Here’s how:
- Accurate Impressions: With traditional impressions, there’s always room for error. But the iTero intraoral scanner captures high-definition digital impressions, allowing us to develop more accurate treatment plans and completely custom clear aligners. Ultimately, this can lead to potentially faster treatment times.
- iTero Outcome Simulator: Think of the iTero Outcome Simulator as our orthodontic crystal ball. The powerful tool lets us show you a preview of your future smile before treatment even begins! Seeing your Invisalign before and after pictures in real time helps you make an informed decision and is a great motivator for wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours a day.
- Enhanced Precision for Optimal Results: Because the 3D scanner captures every detail of your teeth and bite, we can ensure that each set of Invisalign aligners is perfectly tailored to your smile. This precision helps to avoid any unnecessary refinements and ensures your treatment stays on track.
The Invisalign Process at Bird Smiles Orthodontics
At Bird Smiles Orthodontics, we use the iTero scanner to make the Invisalign process as smooth and effective as possible. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Consultation: The Invisalign process starts with a comprehensive consultation, where we assess your orthodontic needs by taking a series of records that include a 3D digital scan. During this visit, Dr. Talley or Dr. Clark can use the iTero Outcome Simulator to show you how your smile will change over time, providing a computer-simulated preview of your Invisalign before and after transformation.
- Custom Treatment Plan: Using the 3D dental model, Dr. Talley or Dr. Clark will map out the exact movements of each individual tooth to create your custom aligners.
- Receiving Your Aligners: The digital impressions are sent to the Invisalign lab, where your custom aligners are 3D printed based on the treatment plan created by Dr. Talley or Dr. Clark. When your aligners are ready, you’ll wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, drink anything aside from still water, and brush your teeth. Check out Dr. Talley’s YouTube video for more in-depth Invisalign instructions.
- Check-Ups and Adjustments: About every eight weeks, you’ll visit Bird Smiles Orthodontics for a check-up. Because your tooth movements are pre-planned based on your iTero scan, the doctor can quickly monitor your progress and confirm if the prescribed tooth movements have occurred. If any adjustments are needed, they can modify your treatment right away.
- Celebrating Your New Smile: After you’ve completed your series of aligners, we’ll take one final iTero scan to create your custom Vivera® retainers, ensuring that your perfect smile lasts a lifetime.
The Benefits of the iTero Scanner
There are so many reasons why we love using the iTero scanner at Bird Smiles Orthodontics, but you’re not here to read a novel, so we’ve narrowed it down to four:
- Speed: Digital impressions are quick, and the 3D model appears on our screen almost instantly. This means we can start planning your treatment immediately, you don’t need to wait for impressions to set and there are no retakes.
- Comfort: Unlike traditional impressions, the iTero dental scanner doesn’t involve uncomfortable trays and putty. The process is quick and comfortable – you can breathe and swallow normally while we scan, making it perfect for people with a sensitive gag reflex.
- Accuracy: The high-definition images captured by the iTero intraoral scanner result in exceptionally accurate treatment plans. This precision means fewer refinements and faster results.
- Safety: The iTero scanner doesn’t emit any ionizing radiation. It’s a safe option for patients of all ages.
The Bottom Line
The iTero scanner takes quick, highly accurate digital dental impressions. This helps us create a precise Invisalign treatment plan to give you a beautiful smile – without the discomfort and hassle of traditional methods.
Book a Complimentary Consultation Today!
Ready to start your Invisalign journey with the most advanced digital tools? Schedule a complimentary consultation at Bird Smiles Orthodontics in Washington, DC, and see firsthand how our expert orthodontists use technology like iTero to transform your smile.
