Modern dentistry is becoming more comfortable and more precise, and digital scanning is one of the biggest reasons why. Instead of using messy impression materials to capture the shape of your teeth, digital technology allows our team to create highly detailed images quickly and comfortably. These scans help us plan treatment more accurately and create restorations that fit better. At Mountain View Dental Care, digital scanning helps patients in Spokane, WA, experience a smoother appointment and more predictable results.
What Is The iTero® Digital Scanner?
The iTero digital scanning device is a modern tool that captures highly detailed images of your teeth, gums, and bite. Rather than relying on traditional impressions that can feel bulky or uncomfortable, iTero uses a small handheld wand to create a digital model of your mouth. The scan is fast, safe, and designed to support accuracy.
These digital impressions can be used for many types of dental restorations and treatment planning. Because the scan captures fine detail, it supports a better fit for restorations that need precision, such as crowns and veneers. It also helps us evaluate your bite and tooth positioning in a clearer way, which can improve planning for restorative and cosmetic care.
Digital scanning can be used to help create:
- Crowns: Custom restorations designed to protect and strengthen teeth.
- Veneers: Cosmetic enhancements tailored to your natural smile.
- Bridges: Fixed tooth replacement options designed for stable function.
- Dentures: Appliances crafted for comfort and a more personalized fit.
Why Might The iTero® Digital Scanner Be Needed?
We use iTero digital scanning whenever detailed impressions are needed. Many dental treatments require an accurate model of your teeth and bite, so restorations can be crafted precisely. The scan captures your tooth contours and surrounding tissues, which helps support a natural appearance and comfortable fit.
Digital impressions are also useful when we want to plan treatment with more confidence. With a digital model, we can evaluate spacing, tooth shape, and bite relationships more efficiently and accurately than older methods. This often supports fewer remakes and less time adjusting the final restoration.
We may recommend iTero scanning when:
- A crown is needed: A precise digital model supports a better crown fit.
- A bridge is planned: Accurate impressions help restorations feel stable and natural.
- A denture is being created: Digital detail supports comfort and better design.
- Cosmetic work is considered: Planning helps improve predictability and results.
Who Is A Candidate For The iTero® Digital Scanner?
Most patients are good candidates for iTero digital scanning. The process is quick, noninvasive, and designed to be comfortable. Because there are no traditional impression trays filled with material, many patients find it easier and less stressful, especially those with a sensitive gag reflex.
Digital scanning can be used for a wide range of ages and needs. In some cases, it can also support orthodontic planning, including for younger patients who may benefit from clear aligner treatment. If a scan is recommended, our team will explain how it helps and how it supports your treatment goals.
Patients often appreciate iTero scanning because it is:
- Painless: No needles and no drilling are typically involved.
- Quick: Scans are captured efficiently during your visit.
- Comfortable: No goopy impression material is needed.
- Safe: Digital scanning is designed for routine use in dental care.
What Can You Expect With The iTero® Digital Scanner?
Your scan begins with you sitting comfortably in one of our treatment rooms. The iTero wand is gently moved around your teeth to capture a series of images. As the scan is taken, the digital model appears on a screen, allowing our team to view and evaluate the details in real time.
Once the scan is complete, we use the digital impressions to design and create your restoration. Because the scan captures precise details, restorations can often be crafted to fit more accurately. This can improve comfort, reduce the need for adjustments, and help create results that look natural.
The scan is completely safe for patients, and it may be used any time we need a detailed 3D view of your teeth and bite. If your treatment plan includes more than one step, digital scans can also be helpful for tracking changes over time and supporting ongoing planning.
During your scan, you can expect:
- Positioning: You will be seated comfortably while the scan is completed.
- Scanning: A small wand will be moved around your teeth to capture images.
- Real-time viewing: Images will appear immediately on the screen for review.
- Planning: The scan will be used to create restorations with a customized fit.
Benefits of digital scanning often include:
- More accuracy: Highly detailed impressions designed for precision restorations.
- Less discomfort: No bulky impression trays or messy materials.
- Efficient planning: Faster turnaround for designing treatment and restorations.
- Better fit: Restorations crafted to match tooth contours and bite alignment.
Choose Mountain View Dental Care
For Digital Scanning
When you need a restoration, your comfort and the accuracy of your results matter. At Mountain View Dental Care, we use iTero digital scanning to create detailed impressions with a more comfortable experience for patients in Spokane, WA. If you are interested in learning more about digital scanning technology or want to schedule a check-up, contact our team today to take the next step toward precise, modern dental care.