iTero® Digital Impression System
Comfortable, putty-free 3D scans in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA
If you’ve ever had a dental impression taken the old way, you remember the tray full of putty and the urge to gag. At New Element Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christopher Myers uses an iTero digital scanner instead, capturing a precise 3D image of your teeth in a few minutes with no putty at all. It’s more comfortable, more accurate, and you get to see your teeth on screen right away. We use it at both our Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA offices.
What Is an iTero Digital Scan?
An iTero scan is a digital impression of your teeth and gums taken with a small hand-held wand. Instead of biting into a tray of material, you have a light-based scanner moved gently around your mouth, which builds a detailed three-dimensional model of your teeth on a screen. There’s no putty, no tray, and nothing to gag on.
Digital Impressions vs Traditional Putty Molds
Traditional impressions mean a tray of thick material pressed against your teeth and held in place while it sets. They’re uncomfortable, and they often have to be redone when a mold is rejected, broken, or misplaced. A digital scan avoids all of that. It captures the detail accurately the first time, which means fewer repeats and a better starting point for treatment. The scan is also stored digitally, so there’s no physical mold to damage or lose.
How the iTero Scan Works
The scanner is a compact wand that captures the structure of your teeth and gums using optical technology. Dr. Myers moves it around your mouth, and the scan can be paused and restarted as many times as needed for comfort. In as little as two to three minutes, it produces a radiation-free, three-dimensional image of your teeth and the surrounding soft tissue, and you can watch the model build on the screen as it goes. The same scan works for any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign.
Why It Matters for Your Treatment
Accuracy at the start shapes everything that follows. A precise digital impression helps your appliances fit better and your treatment progress more predictably, and it’s especially important for Invisalign, where the aligners are made directly from the scan. Seeing your teeth in 3D also makes the consultation clearer, since Dr. Myers can show you exactly what he sees and walk you through the plan on screen rather than in the abstract.
Common Questions About iTero® Digital Impression System
Does the scan hurt or make me gag?
No. There’s no tray and no putty, just a small wand moving around your mouth, and the scan can be paused anytime. Most patients find it far more comfortable than traditional molds, which is part of why we switched to it.
How long does the scan take?
Usually about two to three minutes for a full scan, though it varies a little from person to person. It’s quick enough to fit easily into a consultation.
Is the iTero scan safe?
Yes. The scan is radiation-free, using light rather than X-rays to capture the image, so it’s safe to repeat as often as your treatment needs.
Can children be scanned this way?
Yes, and it’s often easier for kids than traditional molds. The scan is quick, comfortable, and can be stopped and restarted, which helps younger patients who struggle to sit still for putty impressions.
See Your Smile in 3D
Curious to see your teeth in 3D? A consultation at New Element Orthodontics includes a comfortable digital scan and a clear look at your options. Call us or request an appointment online.
Sacramento
Fair Oaks
iTero is a trademark of Align Technology, Inc.
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