Technology

iTero® Digital Impression System

Our office uses the most state-of-the-art technology available to help create the smile you want, which is why we use the iTero digital impression system, by Align Technology. Our digital impression system replaces the uncomfortable, unpleasant-tasting, messy and sometimes inaccurate traditional putty impressions. No bulky trays or sticky putty needed!

Using a digital scanner, we will take three-dimensional (3-D) digital images, or impressions, of your teeth and bite. These impressions will help us formulate a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific orthodontic needs and desires. We can also use them to visually show you your treatment options and help us keep you up-to-date on your treatment progress.

After your specific treatment plan has been chosen, the digital impressions allow us to create customized bracket trays that we use to place your brackets onto your teeth, all at one time, with increased efficiency and overall effectiveness. The digital impressions can also be used to fabricate your custom Invisalign® aligners.

Benefits of iTero digital impressions over traditional putty impressions include:

• Accuracy: They capture the exact contours of your teeth.
• Efficiency: They require less time in the treatment chair.
• Comfort: Taking the digital images is less invasive. No putty is used, and patients are more at ease without fearing they will gag on the impression putty.
• Customization: They provide a digital plan and allow for trays that are tailored to meet the individual needs and desires of each patient.
• Visualization: They provide each patient with a definite picture of what their teeth will look like before, during and after orthodontic treatment.
• Innovation: They use the most advanced 3-D video technologies.

Digital X-rays

In order to provide our patients with the highest quality of dental services, we use dental radiographs, or X-rays, in our office. These radiographs provide us with invaluable information about your oral and dental health.

While radiographic equipment does produce radiation (and depends on that radiation to function properly), modern advances in technology are continually reducing the amount of radiation that is produced. In fact, studies have shown that the amount of radiation produced by these machines is not significantly higher than other “normal” sources of radiation that we are exposed to on perhaps a daily basis, such as televisions and airplanes.

X-rays work on a simple principle: the X-rays are stimulated and sent through the mouth. When these rays pass through, they are absorbed more by the bones in your mouth than the gums and other soft tissues, creating a picture of how the teeth inside your mouth are positioned, as well as any potential areas of weakness or decay in your teeth.

While this radiation is very low, it is still recommended that pregnant women avoid any unnecessary X-rays. However, pregnant women are also more vulnerable to gum disease, so X-rays may be recommended, in which case proper precautions should be taken, such as using a lead apron and thyroid collar.