iTero® Digital Scanning in Locust Grove, GA
At Sweet Spot Smiles in Locust Grove, GA, we've adopted iTero® digital scanning to provide you with a smoother and more precise dental experience. Bid farewell to unpleasant impression trays and welcome accurate digital impressions with iTero. Curious about how iTero scanning works and its benefits? This guide will answer your questions and show how iTero aids treatments like clear aligners and crowns, all conveniently provided in our practice.
iTero Digital Scanning Explained
iTero digital scanning utilizes an intraoral system that captures numerous images per second, forming an accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums. The handheld wand effortlessly navigates over tooth surfaces, with sophisticated software merging these images into a comprehensive digital impression. You can view this 3D model in real-time, examine it from different angles, and work with our team to plan your dental care precisely and efficiently.
iTero scans are versatile, supporting the design of crowns, bridges, veneers, and implant restorations. In orthodontics, they facilitate treatment planning for options like Invisalign, accurately mapping tooth positions and potential movements. The digital data allows seamless, secure communication with dental labs, speeding up processes and minimizing adjustments.
Benefits of Digital Impressions With iTero
- Greater comfort for patients who dislike traditional impression trays
- High accuracy for better-fitting restorations and aligners
- Fast capture, most scans take only a few minutes per arch
- No gag-inducing materials, comforting for those with strong gag reflexes
- Clear 3D visualization for detailed discussion on findings and care
- No ionizing radiation, utilizing safe optical imaging
- Trackable updates, allowing monitoring of changes over time
How iTero Works
The scanning wand employs a safe light source and advanced optics for precise surface data collection. Images appear live on screen as the wand moves, guiding a thorough capture. The software then compiles these images into a seamless, 3D model, representing tooth shape, spacing, and bite relationships. This model serves as a blueprint for creating restorations and aligners, allowing pre-manufacturing adjustments—a major advantage of digital impressions.
Compared to traditional impressions, the key advantages of iTero are increased comfort and efficiency. The lack of impression material makes the process straightforward and quick, allowing for easy retakes if additional detail is required. The result is a detailed, high-resolution digital file that can be accessed whenever needed.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Prepare for your iTero scan by ensuring your teeth are clean, either through a rinse or a recent dental hygiene visit. While you comfortably relax, the wand is gently moved around your teeth and gums. Most patients find this process easy and non-invasive. Whether scanning one or both arches, it typically completes in minutes.
Upon completion, we'll review the 3D model with you. Observe how your teeth fit together, spot any spacing or wear, and see how suggested treatments could help. For orthodontics, view a preview of potential tooth movements to understand treatment options better. For restorative care, examine how the scan guides the crown, bridge, or implant restoration's fit and shape.
No downtime follows the scan, allowing you to resume normal activities immediately. If other records, like X-rays or photographs, are necessary, our team will let you know. Patients in Locust Grove, Georgia, often appreciate the meticulous precision of our scans without any mess, decreasing the need for remakes or extra visits.