,First launched as a restorative scanner in the early 2000s, the iTero Element family of intraoral scanners from Align Technology continues to evolve and meet changing practice needs, thanks to its intuitive software applications that can help educate patients and drive treatment forward., ,DPS reader and dental technology enthusiast Brandon Tiek, DDS, has found plenty of reasons to love the iTero Element family of intraoral scanners. “I’ve been using the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system for about a year now,” he said. “I chose it because of the advancements it has over previous generations of iTero scanners, plus it easily syncs with the labs I work with.”, ,The MyiTero portal makes it easy for dentists and labs to maintain an open line of communication, with iTero-enabled labs capable of receiving iTero scans within minutes.* The portal also allows labs to easily review 3D scans and prescriptions online, as well as quickly alert the doctor if additional scans are needed., ,Building on the success of previous iTero scanners, the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system is engineered to simultaneously record 3D models, 2D intraoral photos, and near-infrared imaging (NIRI) to aid in caries detection above the gingiva. “This feature gives me instant ability to show patients what I’m talking about in 3D,” said Dr. Tiek. Dr. Tiek also benefits from the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system’s fast scanning speeds and highquality 3D scans that simplify and speed up his indirect restorative workflow. “Efficiency has been the greatest return,” he added. “We can now streamline the preparation appointment, as well as cut down on a few days of labtime. The fit of indirect restorations has also improved greatly. I’m seeing far fewer adjustments or remakes.”,
,Flipping the “watch and wait” approach on its head, iTero TimeLapse technology compares current and historical scans to show patients a real-time view of how much their gingival recession, tooth wear, and tooth movement have changed over time. “It’s been very helpful in discussing bruxism, as we can demonstrate exactly where the occlusal attrition is occurring,” said Dr. Tiek.
, ,iTero TimeLapse technology also is a key tool for Seattle-area dentist Dr. Bret Jacobsen and his team, as their goal is to try and scan every patient with the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system and follow them with the technology., ,”The whole intention of iTero TimeLapse technology is to really make patients aware of what’s going on in their mouths,” he said. “And boy, when they do see changes, they get concerned and want solutions.”, ,A digital version of articulating paper, the iTero Occlusogram tool uses an occlusal color clearance map to show patients the contact relationship between arches. And, for patients considering Invisalign treatment, the Invisalign Outcome Simulator can bring patients’ final aligner outcomes to life., ,”We run the Invisalign Outcome Simulator for every case, even when we have a patient who we know will probably move forward with Invisalign treatment,” said Dr. Jacobsen, who has been offering Invisalign treatment to his patients for over a decade. “It’s nice to have it during patient conversations; it helps when I’m explaining what Invisalign treatment is and how it works. I can rotate the models around and show them where attachments might go and what they do. It gives them a nice visualization, so they really understand what it is they’re going to be starting.”, ,Practicality and efficiency are at the center of innovative technology, and dentistry is no exception. The iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system is also available as a mobile medical-grade solution. It is compact, portable, and comes with a dedicated cabin-size carrying case. Paired with VESA mounting, it has a minimal footprint and is ideal for practices with limited space., ,”We’ve had every version of the iTero Element scanner, and every time it just gets faster, lighter, and smaller, and has new features,” said Dr. Jacobsen. “The colors have even improved. It just gets better every time.”,
