The iTero scan explained

What happens

You sit back in the chair and Louise, or a member of the team, moves a small wand slowly around your teeth, upper arch then lower, then with your teeth together. The wand takes thousands of images a second and the screen beside you builds a colour 3D model of your teeth as it goes. The whole thing takes five to ten minutes. There is no putty, nothing to bite into, nothing that sets, and nothing to gag on, which matters for anyone who found impressions unpleasant. If you need a break, the scan pauses and picks up where it left off.

What the scan is used for

• Your simulation. Within minutes the software shows a simulation of where your teeth could move, so you see a version of your own straightened smile on the day. It is an illustration of what is possible rather than a guaranteed result; Louise explains what is realistic for you.
• Your treatment plan. The scan, with the X-ray included in your package, is what Louise plans your treatment on, tooth by tooth, in the ClinCheck software.
• Your aligners. Every aligner is manufactured from the scan, which is why a digital scan gives a more accurate fit than a putty impression that can distort as it sets.
• Your retainers. At the end, a final scan is taken and your Vivera retainers are made from it.
• Progress. Scans at reviews are laid over the original to show exactly how far each tooth has moved.

Why accuracy matters

Aligners work by fitting the teeth closely and pushing in precise directions. A scan that is accurate to a few hundredths of a millimetre means aligners that seat properly from the first day, which keeps the plan on track. It also means attachments and bite ramps are placed exactly where the plan expects them.

Is it safe?

The scanner uses light, not radiation. It is safe in pregnancy and for children. The one X-ray in your package is a separate, low-dose orthodontic image taken to check the roots and bone before planning.

Between visits

You will not have an iTero scan at every visit. Between appointments, Dental Monitoring uses your own phone camera with a small attachment to scan your teeth weekly, and Louise reviews those scans to confirm each aligner is seating before you move on. The two systems do different jobs: iTero for precision planning and manufacture, Dental Monitoring for keeping an eye on progress from home.

Questions people ask

Does the iTero scan hurt?

No. A small wand is moved around your teeth for a few minutes. Nothing goes in that sets or needs biting into.

Is the scan included in the price?

Yes. The scan is part of your consultation, and every package includes it.

Can I see my result on the day?

You see a simulation of what is possible at the consultation. It is an illustration rather than a promise, and Louise explains what is realistic.

Is the scanner safe in pregnancy?

Yes. It uses light, not radiation. The X-ray in the package is usually postponed until after the pregnancy.

Do I need an impression for retainers?

No. Retainers are made from a final scan at the end of treatment.