iTero Scanner

At Smile Orthodontics we have made Invisalign® treatment even easier and more proficient with the use of our latest ITero Digital Impression Scanner. This state-of-the-art technology allows our well trained technicians to take accurate 3D digital images of your mouth. By taking these scans we eliminate the need for impressions as well as expediting the process of starting your Invisalign treatment.

The iTero scanner is all about patient comfort. It delivers a digital impression that is much more accurate than a routine dental impression. The iTero scanner does not expose our patients to any sort of radiation and is completely safe. The best part is that the iTero scanner is fast and accurate. Your Invisalign treatment is expedited and the fit of your aligners is far superior than when made with traditional impressions.

3D Printer

3D printing continues to march forward in what many experts call the next industrial revolution. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing is the process for making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model file by laying down successive thin layers of a material. 3D-printing technology is changing the way products and prototypes are produced in every industry, including advancements in the dental industry. The purpose of this article is to review several common 3D-printing technologies used in today’s dental market.

3D printers rely on 3D scanners and CAD software to create and manipulate printable data files. 3D scanners can be direct or indirect. Direct scanners are in contact with the object, while indirect scanners gather information with the scanner away from the object. Most dental scanners use the indirect capture technique. All scanners are prone to missing data and rely on CAD software to fill the voids of missing data. It is always important to carefully review your dental scans for accuracy prior to starting the printing process.

3D Cone Beam

Using a rotating imaging device that moves around the patient’s head, the scanner records between 150 and 600 different X-ray views in under a minute. Then, a powerful computer processes the information and creates a virtual model of the area under study. When it’s done, the model appears as a three-dimensional image on a computer screen: It can be rotated from side to side or up and down, examined in greater or less detail, and manipulated in any number of ways — all without the patient feeling any discomfort… or even being present.

Soft Tissue Laser

For the treatment of soft tissue problems, lasers have many advantages. They are minimally invasive tools that generally involve taking away less tissue than conventional methods. Used in gum surgery, for example, lasers can treat gum disease by killing harmful bacteria deep in pockets below the gum line, and removing the diseased tissue without harming the healthy tissue. They can also remove the thin layer of cells that inhibits reattachment of the gum and bone tissues to the tooth, while sealing off the adjacent blood vessels. This type of procedure generally results in less bleeding and pain. Lasers are also effective in treating ulcers and sores on the lips or gums.