As most orthodontic patient's might remember, getting alginate impressions of their teeth was never an enjoyable experience. The ooey-gooey material would take what felt like forever to set up and always made everyone want to gag! It was something you wouldn't forget and that you hoped you'd never have to do again!
Thankfully, technology has advanced so much over the years that alginate impressions are not as common in orthodontic offices. Digital intraoral scanners, such as the I-Tero, have been created to capture every nook and cranny of the teeth in a much easier and efficient way. The scanner is capturing hundreds of pictures per minute to create a 3D impression of the teeth. This 3D impression can now be used for the orthodontist to create a treatment plan. It can also be used to send to the lab to have retainers and other appliances made. So much easier than having to mail out an actual plaster model of the teeth!! It used to take forever!
Here are some of the benefits of using the I-Tero intraoral scanner instead of alginate impressions:
- Patient Comfort - One of the most important things that matters to our office is that our patients are comfortable during treatment. The I-Tero scanner is much quicker, easier, and much more comfortable than traditional impressions.
- No more mess or wasted materials - With traditional impressions, you need to size the impression tray meaning you would have to take time to clean the ones not used. Then, you have to quickly mix the alginate material with water really fast to then load it in the impression tray. It gets EVERYWHERE, all over the sinks, all over the assistants, all over the patients. If the impression did not come out good the first time, you have to keep trying until it is right. This means many wasted supplies and materials. With the I-Tero scanner, the only material being switched out for every patient is the wand tip. It is quick and easy to clean the device and put a new one on.
- Patient Involvement - It is so important for patients to be involved in treatment and understand why we recommend the things we do. With traditional impressions, patients most likely don't get to see their plaster models after they have the impressions done. The I-Tero scanner allows patients to see their teeth as a 3D model, right in front of them. Not many people get to see their teeth from that perspective. It also allows patients to point out their concerns and ask questions!
- Faster and More Accurate - Traditional impressions may have taken up to 10 minutes to do both top and bottom, but could be longer depending on if you had to re-do them and set-up time. Dr. Kennell's Orthodontic office averaged just over 4 minutes to scan the upper and lower arches with a bite scan. Way faster! The I-Tero scanner is so much more accurate and precise compared to traditional impressions that could have bubbles and voids.
- Efficiency - After impressions were done, they were made into plaster models of the teeth and had to be mailed to labs and also took up a lot of space to store them. Now, with the click of a button the 3D models can be sent to the lab in seconds. Then they are 3D printed to make appliances, aligners, and or retainers out of! Super efficient!
All three of Dr. Kennell's offices, Laconia, Littleton, and Plymouth are equipped with one or more I-Tero scanners of the newest model. After recently going to the AAO conference in Louisiana, the Kennell Orthodontics team was able to try out the newest I-Tero wand. Being able to physically try out the wand convinced Dr. Kennell and his team that they needed it in their offices!!
The I-Tero "Lumina" intraoral scanner has even more benefits:
- Takes high-quality, photorealistic scans
- Has a wider field of view, making it easier to capture
- Ergonomically easier on the assistants
- More comfortable for patients since the wand is 50% smaller than the older version
- 2x the speed to capture the entire mouth
Dr. Kennell's orthodontic office is excited to share this new technology with their patients to make for an even better experience! He will continue to stay up to date with the newest technology, who knows what will be created next!!