Australasian Dentist Issue 92

CATEGORY 10 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST PRODUCT BACKGR UND I ntraoral scanners (IOS) provide a multitude of benefits for dental practitioners, and the technology has benefited from investments in digital technology and connectivity. Developed over two decades IOS were once a digital impression assisting tool, but now with full workflow integration they can be a fully integrated digital platform based around multiple workflows (Restorative, Orthodontic). With the iTero intraoral scanner, patients get a modern, digital experience they want and expect, while practitioners can enjoy an intuitive and more efficient digital workflow process. The iTero family of intraoral scanners is designed to deliver speed, accuracy, and exceptional visualisation. Dr Rohit Chaturvedi from DB Dental, Claremont says: “I use my iTero Element 5D scanner for everything, especially crown and bridge/implant procedures. The ability to be able to scan in minutes and have not only a digital impression (in cloud storage) but an entire diagnostic suite so we can treatment plan all with one scan, its mind blowing.” The history of iTero intraoral scanners iTero scanners have been around for more than two decades and are leading the way in orthodontic and restorative digital workflows. Starting as Cadent, the Cadent iTero scanner initially allowed the scanning of conventional stone models of teeth to produce 3D computer images. In 2006 the first generation of the system that we know today was launched. The iTero intraoral scanner was developed specifically as Cadent’s solution for digitising restorative workflows. In 2011, Align Technology acquired Cadent and set about creating the Align Technology digital platform. This saw the iTero intraoral scanner grow significantly through investment, research and development and heralded technological advancements including the Invisalign® Outcome Simulator (iOSim), cloud storage and the more recent CAD/CAM acquisition exocad. It’s easy to see that AlignTechnology is developing the iTero scanner as a IOS for all types of dental workflows and digital platforms. While the foundations of the iTero scanner sit firmly in restorative workflows the Align Technology influence has resulted in advanced Invisalign treatment and orthodontic digital workflow improvement tools. Tools such as Invisalign Outcome Simulator, iTero Element 5D Auto-upload feature and Invisalign Progress Assessment all of which are accessed from the Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS), creating efficient Invisalign treatment workflows. The power of the workflow In 2019, the team at Align Technology released their “Element 5D” technology, which was the first hybrid dental imaging system (3 in 1 scans platform) utilising 3D scan, intra oral images and near-infrared imaging technology (NIRI). Building on this success, in 2020 Align Technology launched the Element 5D Plus series which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and contains the iTero scanners’ most powerful computing power to-date enhancing practice productivity with 20% less waiting time for scans to process 1 . What does this mean for dental practitioners? The iTero Element 5D series allows for the treating clinical team to create an entire diagnostic suite while the patient is in the chair, including: 1. Diagnostic Scans (3 in 1 scans platform) – the first integrated dental imaging system that simultaneously aids in detecting proximal caries through near- infrared images (NIRI)²; records 3D impressions, real colour photography and tracks over time changes in oral health; treatment outcome simulations; patient planning and communication tools. 2. Artificial intelligence – simulated treatment outcomes; cleaner scans with excessive noise removed³; faster stitching of data; automated margin marking; improved margin line visualisation; and automatic reminder if a bite relationship is not captured properly. GAMECHANGER – iTero ® Element 5D series A standalone intraoral scanner is not enough in today’s market. It’s all about the workflows it creates. iTero intraoral scanner - innovation timeline. 2011 2021 Cloud storage introduced Security & privacy compliant iTero Element 1 * High resolution High speed scans Align Technology acquires Cadent Workflow& connection +3,000 lab network worldwide Scan inmotion Automatically stitch & remove scan artifacts InvisalignOutcome Simulator Visualise potential Invisalign treatment outcome iTero Element 2 & iTero Element Flex * iTero TimeLapse Visualise oral changes in real time Invisalign Progress Assessment Track Invisalign treatments over time HD intraoral camera Incorporate HD photos in practitioners workflow Openworkflow Connection to third party implants, chair side, DPMS and more Access your data fromanywhere myiTero.com iTero Element 5DPlus series * iTero Element 5D imaging * Diagnostic aid using NIRI technology with interproximal caries detection Align Technology acquires exocad *iTero Scanner Base launch.