Show and Tell with the iTero Element Plus Series
Can an intraoral scanner make you a better dentist? For Dr. Bret Jacobson, the answer is a resounding yes. Here, he shares why the iTero Element 5D Plus mobile imaging system is a diagnostic and restorative workhorse that improves treatment conversations.
Just as a dental office manager wears multiple hats in their daily mission to keep the practice running smoothly, dental technology has evolved to a point where one system can do the work of many. Case in point is the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system—a diagnostic and restorative workhorse that simultaneously records 3D models, intraoral photos, and near-infrared images (NIRI) to aid in caries detection above the gingiva.
“It’s the most complete scanner out there as far as what it’s able to do, and it just keeps getting better and better,” said Bret Jacobson, DDS, who has been using iTero Element scanners for the past 15 years in his Washington practice.
Scan with Zero Footprint
For the past year, Dr. Jacobson has enjoyed scanning with both the mobile and cart configurations of the iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system. Offering the same fast scan processing and detailed visualization of the cart configuration, the medical grade, mobile scanner offers a VESA mounting option for a zero footprint in the operatory.
“The mobile configuration is nice, especially if you have a small practice and the cart isn’t a great option,” said Dr. Jacobson. “It’s lightweight, easy to move, and has a built-in handle that pops up. The great thing is that whether you’re using the mobile or cart configuration, it’s so noninvasive that most patients don’t even realize you’re scanning them.”
"It's a really comprehensive way of giving someone a full picture of what's going on in their mouth.”
- Bret Jacobson, DDS
Visualization that Sparks Questions
That’s a good thing for Dr. Jacobson and the team at South 288th Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, because they make a concerted effort to scan every new patient. One of the reasons why is iTero TimeLapse. “The days of handing a patient a mirror and asking them to look way back in their mouths are over,” he noted. “Now, we can capture a scan so quickly, that in a matter of minutes you’ve got a full-arch scan on the screen. It allows us to have a totally different discussion with the patient.” Once the patient has two scans in their fi le, TimeLapse automatically extrapolates the past and current scan into animated images that show oral changes like tooth wear, tooth movement, and changes in gingiva over time. Even if there are no major changes, said Dr. Jacobson, patients usually start asking questions. “The whole intention is to make patients aware of what’s happening in their mouths. And when they do see changes, they get concerned and want solutions,” he said. Using the iTero in viewer mode, Dr. Jacobson can show patients multiple views of their teeth not unlike a stone model, including an Occlusogram color clearance map that shows the contact relationship between arches. “It’s a really comprehensive way of giving someone a full picture of what’s going on in their mouth,” he said.
Designed to Restore
Born as a restorative scanner over a decade ago, the iTero Element 5D Plus Imaging System is primed to handle a variety of restorative needs—whether you’re working with labs or milling inhouse. “There's a ton of features that, in my opinion, make me a better dentist. We use it every day for restorative work,” said Dr. Jacobson. That includes single crowns, implant restorations, and more.
“I like it for scanning implants because we're able to do a couple of extra scans to capture the tissue emergence profile and the scan body. This way, the lab has a scan of the tissue alone as well as the two scans merged together,” he said. “So, not only does the lab get more information, but we don’t have to use impression material or waste time taking traditional impressions. We can utilize all that extra time—and that's important.”
Simulating Invisalign Outcomes
Dr. Jacobson has been offering Invisalign treatment to his patients for the past 10 years and enjoys using the Invisalign Outcome Simulator to help them visualize what their smiles could look like during and after treatment. “We use it for every case, even if we know the patient is probably going to move forward, because it helps me explain what Invisalign is and how it works. I can rotate the models around and show them, for example, where attachments or a lingual arch wire might go. It’s really helpful for engaging conversations with patients.”
Speed is a perk, too. After sending in the patient scan, Dr. Jacobson typically gets the treatment plan back within 24 hours and the aligners in his office in about a week.
iTero Service & Support
Before making an investment, dentists should take the time to ask themselves what their goals are and what they ultimately want out of a digital scanner. “For me, track record and customer support are really important,” he said. “iTero has great customer service and support to back it up. If you have any issues, the folks at Align can hop on with you and walk you through the problem. When you have technology, you need support, and I think iTero provides just about everything you would want out of a scanner as far as amazing diagnostic, restorative, and Invisalign capabilities.”
