No more goop, gagging, or discomfort. When we need to get a model of your teeth—we now use an iTero™–scanner to take a “digital” impression.
The new highly accurate technology completely eliminates the old tray-and-putty impressions–where many patients say the experience is like stuffing a big wad of gum in your mouth.
“The old technique is often unpleasant and can result in taking additional impressions that can be rejected, broken, or misplaced,” says Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch at the Washington Center for Dentistry—one of the few dental offices in the region to offer this technology. “Our new iTero scanner ensures a more accurate impression, resulting in improved treatment—as well as a more comfortable patient experience.”
You’ll be happy to know digital impressions give the ability to see your teeth instantly in 3D, improving communication during the consultation and treatment process.
Here’s how it works: The iTero scanner—a compact, hand-held wand—digitally captures the structure of the teeth and gums using the latest optical technology. Once we begin the scanning process, it can be stopped and started as many times as necessary.
Your mouth is scanned with the radiation-free laser, and in as little as 2-3 minutes, renders a digitally perfect, 3-D impression of the teeth and soft tissue structures. Through this digital software, patients are then able to follow the progress of the scans including a three-dimensional model of their teeth on the computer screen.
The iTero scanner can be used for any restorative treatment including crowns, veneers, inlays/onlays, bridges, implants and orthodontic treatments like Invisalign.