ALIGN TECHNOLOGY
iTero Element 5D
Integrated dental imaging system combines 3D, intraoral color, and NIRI images into one device for enhanced diagnostics
As dental practices face new challenges in the era of COVID-19—from increased personal protective equipment to the social distancing of patients—it has never been more important to identify ways to expand treatment possibilities and increase practice revenue. Fortunately, a single piece of technology has the power to transform patient care as we know it, streamlining diagnostic and restorative processes while driving practice growth.
Align Technology’s newest-generation iTero Element 5D scanner is the first integrated dental imaging system that simultaneously records 3D, intraoral color, and near-infrared imaging (NIRI), while enabling a visual comparison of the images over time.
A Positive Disruption
By its very nature, technology is disruptive. While it can be intimidating to introduce a new tool or technique into your workflow, sometimes a little disruption is a good thing. That was certainly the case for Dr. Tim Nolting, a clinician practicing in Freudenberg, Germany, who witnessed his existing workflow flip on its head... in a good way.
“Using the iTero scanner, the workflow is completely different,” he shared. “In the past, we would start the patient exam with an internal inspection and x-rays. But now, we start the exam by taking a digital scan and photos, and talk about what lies beyond the scan—only taking x-rays if needed. So, it’s just turned our workflow completely upside down.”
"Patients tell me that they never expected to see so much information captured in one image."
-Dr. Tim Nolting
Now that he has upgraded to the iTero Element 5D wand, Dr. Nolting has the added benefit of using NIRI images to identify interproximal caries and provide his patients with more comprehensive care. “Some-times, I see decay using the 5D, but not on the x-ray because there is not yet enough decay present in the tooth,” he shared. “The NIRI image allows me to see the decay before it gets into the x-ray—by at least a couple of months.”
Dr. Nolting also appreciates the iTero Element 5D imaging system's larger screen, which makes it easy to view 3D, intraoral color, and NIRI images together—boosting case acceptance when sitting chairside with the patient. Dr. Nolting said his patients are pleasantly surprised by what they see on the screen. “Patients tell me that they never expected to see so much in-formation captured in one image,” he said. They have also commented on the scanner's speed—the system scans nearly twice as fast as the previous generation.
Visualization that Clicks
All the diagnostic tools in the world are useless if patients are kept out of the picture. The iTero Element 5D offers multiple visual diagnostic tools that are designed to help patients co-diagnose their dental conditions, visualize their treatment, and feel more comfortable moving forward.
Using an engaging visual that com-pares historical scans to a current scan, iTero TimeLapse Technology allows patients to see for themselves the changes in their tooth wear, gingiva, or tooth movement over time—encouraging them to say “yes” to treatment at chairside. Scanning patients at every visit or recall helps build up a library of patient scans so clinicians can get the most out of this innovative visualization tool.
“Patients are bound to pictures,” said Dr. Nolting. “When I can show a patient a scan from a year ago and they can see how much their smile is changing, it becomes much easier to talk about the best course of treatment—whether it's a filling, an extraction, or a procedure to stop recessions.”
Frédéric Poirier, DDS, believes so strongly in the ability of TimeLapse to educate patients that he purchased an iTero scanner for each of the offices he maintains.
“Being able to show patients actual renditions of what’s happening in their mouths and how those renditions change over time is crucial,” he shared. “Thanks to technology, I think patients are now very well educated about their dental health, so they are not going to follow advice if they can’t relate to it. We need to be able to show our patients their dental conditions in a way that is understandable to them. Then, once they understand it clearly, they can make a good decision for themselves.”
Adding up the Benefits
While it can be hard to quantify the precise impact a system like the iTero Element 5D scanner has on practice and patient care—when you factor in not only the cost of conventional impression material, but the time needed to take and retake the impression, and the space required to store plaster models—it adds up.
“iTero allows me to talk to the patient about their dental conditions right away,” said Dr. Nolting. “I like to solve problems quickly, so it’s necessary to get my information as quickly as possible.”
Expanding Treatment with Visualization Tools
Growing your practice is dependent on getting patients to say "yes" to treatment. Luckily, the iTero Element 5D scanner offers multiple tools to help diagnose more issues and visually show patients the need for treatment.
Near-Infrared Imaging (NIRI)
Near-infrared imaging (NIRI) technology uses a specific wavelength of light to interact with hard tissue, making healthy dentin appear bright and areas of pathology or demineralization appear as white spots, which helps detect interproximal caries above the gingiva.
Occlusogram
A color clearance map shows the contact relationship between arches and allows clinicians to review dentition and preps in real-time, as well as evaluate signs of excessive force that can lead to tooth wear or fracture.
TimeLapse Technology
iTero TimeLapse automatically extrapolates data from past and current scans into an animated image that shows patients changes in their tooth wear, gingiva, or tooth movement right on the screen.
Invisalign Outcome Simulator
This chairside application creates a simulated outcome to help patients visualize how their teeth may look at the end of Invisalign treatment, as well as an at-a-glance view of their Invisalign progress.
