iTero Digital Impressions
With iTero digital impressions in the Destin or Inlet Beach orthodontics office, Dr. Scott Runnels is able to get pinpoint-accurate impressions without the inconvenience, time, and discomfort of conventional dental impressions.
If you have ever had a dental impression taken, you know that the thick gel and messy tray molds make for an uncomfortable experience. This type of impression is also subject to imperfections such as tears and voids, which can affect the fit and efficacy of dental and orthodontic hardware such as Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® aligners. Learn more about this exciting technological advance in dentistry, then contact Dr. Scott Runnels so you can iTero it in action at our Destin or Inlet Beach office.
What Is iTero?
The iTero™ scanner is a digital tool that utilizes optical and laser-based imaging technology to capture detailed 3D images of your teeth and gums. Unlike traditional impressions that rely on messy molds, the iTero scanner uses a small, handheld wand to create accurate digital impressions quickly and comfortably. This technology allows us to visualize your treatment plan in real time for a more precise and efficient approach to designing orthodontic solutions like clear aligners or braces.
How Does iTero™ Work?
To make a digital impression with iTero™ at our Destin or Inlet Beach practice, Dr. Scott Runnels uses a hand-held wand to scan the area of focus, whether it is just one tooth or the entire mouth. The scan is complete in fewer than 5 minutes. The patient is then able to view the impression of his or her mouth on a nearby screen, allowing them to participate in the process and gain a greater understanding of the restorations or orthodontic adjustments that are planned.
The 100% digital impression is then sent to a remote facility where experts use the scan to create precise models of the patient’s mouth. These models are then forwarded to our dental laboratory, where the custom restoration or Invisalign® trays are made to exact specifications, ensuring a perfect fit and absolutely stunning results.
Applications of iTero in Orthodontics
Creating Invisalign Aligners
The iTero dental scanner is a vital tool for designing Invisalign aligners. Capturing a detailed 3D image of your teeth provides the precision needed to customize aligners that fit perfectly and guide your teeth into the desired position.
Designing Braces and Retainers
The iTero dental scanner simplifies the process of creating a plan for braces or retainers. The detailed scans allow us to design braces or retainers with a focus on your unique dental structure. This results in a more effective and comfortable fit. This level of accuracy can help reduce adjustments and improve the overall experience of orthodontic care.
Monitoring Treatment Progress
The iTero dental scanner has the ability to monitor your treatment progress. During follow-up visits, we can compare new scans with previous ones to track changes in your teeth alignment. This feedback helps us make any necessary adjustments and ensures your treatment stays on course for the best results.
Benefits of iTero™
iTero™ offers a number of benefits over traditional dental impressions, not the least of which is patient comfort. With iTero™ at the Destin or Inlet Beach practice of Dr. Scott Runnels, gone are the days of thick, goopy, foul-tasting paste in uncomfortable molds and patients gagging and salivating while they wait up to 5 minutes for the mold to set. With iTero™, patients simply relax while Dr. Scott Runnels manipulates a small hand-held wand to capture incredibly detailed and accurate images. Other benefits of iTero™ include:
- Precision: The iTero scanner captures highly detailed 3D images, providing more accuracy for orthodontic appliances like aligners and retainers.
- Ease of Use: Its handheld wand and non-invasive scanning process make it comfortable for patients and simple for providers to use.
- Efficiency: Scans are completed in minutes which allows for quicker treatment planning and shorter appointments.
- Uniformity: Digital impressions provide consistent results, reducing the need for re-impressions and adjustments.
- Predictability: The accurate scans help create treatment plans with reliable and consistent outcomes.
- Digital Communication and Transmission: Scans can be easily shared with dental labs, ensuring faster collaboration and production of appliances.
- Increased Patient Involvement: Real-time 3D images let you visualize your treatment plan and better understand the process.
- Less Waste: Eliminating traditional impression materials reduces mess and contributes to a more eco-friendly approach.
Who Can Benefit From iTero?
Teens and Adults
Both teens and adults looking for efficient orthodontic solutions can benefit from iTero scanning. The technology is ideal for capturing precise digital impressions that can streamline treatment planning for a wide range of orthodontic needs. Its ability to quickly produce accurate scans even for patients with busy schedules.
Patients With Specific Orthodontic Concerns
For those with unique dental issues, such as crowded teeth, overbites, or underbites, the iTero scanner provides a more customized approach to care. The detailed 3D scans allow us to design orthodontic treatments that perfectly meet your specific, providing consistent and predictable results.
Patients Seeking a More Comfortable Experience
If you’ve avoided traditional impressions due to discomfort or a sensitive gag reflex, the iTero scanner offers a more comfortable alternative. The small, handheld device eliminates the need for molds and provides quick, precise scans.
More Information About iTero Digital Impressions
What Does the Scanning Process Feel Like?
The iTero™ scanner uses a small, lightweight wand that glides over your teeth and gums. The process is completely non-invasive, so there’s no discomfort or pressure. You don’t need to hold your mouth open for long periods, and there’s no sticky or messy material.
Is the iTero Scanner Technology Safe?
The iTero scanner is made with patient safety in mind. It uses light-based technology to capture high-resolution images, so there’s no radiation involved. The materials used in the scanning process are hypoallergenic, and the equipment is sterilized between patients to maintain a hygienic environment.
Can the iTero Scanner Replace All Traditional Impressions?
iTero scanning can replace traditional impressions for virtually all orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign aligners, retainers, and braces. While the iTero scanner excels in precision and efficiency, we’ll always choose the method that works best for you.
Does Insurance Cover Scans With the iTero Scanner?
The iTero dental scanner is often used as part of a comprehensive orthodontic treatment plan, which some insurance plans may cover. We recommend checking with your insurance provider for detailed coverage information.
How Many iTero Scans Will I Need During the Course of My Treatment?
The number of iTero™ scans you’ll need depends on your specific orthodontic treatment plan. Typically, an initial scan is performed to create a detailed digital impression of your teeth and gums. For treatments like Invisalign, additional scans may be needed during follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure that your aligners continue to fit accurately. The exact frequency will vary based on your treatment’s complexity and duration, but we’ll always schedule scans as necessary to keep your care on track.
Why Runnels Orthodontics?
At Runnels Orthodontics, Dr. Scott Runnels brings over two decades of expertise to every treatment, having established his private practice in Destin in 1999. A Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign provider in 2023, Dr. Runnels combines extensive training, including a post-doctoral certificate in orthodontics from Nova Southeastern, with a commitment to delivering exceptional results. His affiliations with leading organizations, such as the American Association of Orthodontists and the Florida Association of Orthodontists, show his dedication to staying at the forefront of advancements in orthodontics. Whether you’re seeking Invisalign aligners or traditional braces, our practice offers a patient-focused approach to meet your needs.
Schedule an iTero™ Impression Appointment in Destin or Inlet Beach Practice
An accurate and detailed dental impression is essential to any orthodontic treatment plan. With iTero™, everyone involved can enjoy the benefits: the patient has a better and more involved experience; Dr. Scott Runnels enjoys a more efficient process, less waste, and a happier patient; and the dental laboratory receives the most detailed and accurate dental impressions available.
If you are interested in orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® or traditional braces, start with a customized, comfortable, and state-of-the-art digital impression with iTero™ at the Destin or Inlet Beach office of Dr. Scott Runnels. For more information on iTero™, Invisalign®, Invisalign Teen®, Invisalign Express 5®, or any other modern orthodontic treatment at Runnels Orthodontics, contact Dr. Scott Runnels today to schedule a free consultation. Get in touch with us online or at (850) 269-0333. We proudly serve patients in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Freeport, Rosemary Beach, Watersound, Niceville, Panama City Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, and Panama City.
