If you had orthodontic work done twenty years ago, one memory probably survives more vividly than the rest: the impression tray. A big wad of putty pressed into your mouth, held there while you tried not to gag, and a reasonable chance of having to do the whole thing again because the first one broke or got rejected.
That step is gone. We use the iTero® digital impression system, and the difference is not subtle.
What a digital scan is actually like
The scanner is a compact, hand-held wand. It digitally captures the structure of your teeth and gums using optical technology — no tray, no putty, nothing to bite down on.
Your mouth is scanned with a radiation-free laser. In as little as two to three minutes, it renders a digitally perfect 3D impression of your teeth and soft tissue structures.
If you need a break, you get one. Once we begin scanning, the process can be stopped and started as many times as necessary. That alone removes most of what made the old method unpleasant — there was no pausing a tray of setting putty.
Why it produces better treatment, not just a nicer appointment
The comfort is the part patients notice. The accuracy is the part that changes outcomes.
The old technique frequently resulted in taking multiple rounds of impressions that could be rejected, broken, or misplaced. Each repeat introduced its own small errors. A digital scan ensures a more accurate impression from the start, which means better-fitting appliances and fewer surprises later in treatment.
There’s a third benefit that’s easy to overlook: you can see it. Digital impressions let you view your teeth instantly in 3D on our screen. You can follow the progress of the scan as it happens and look at a model of your own mouth.
That turns the consultation into an actual conversation. Instead of describing a crossbite, we can show you one. It improves communication during both consultation and treatment, and people tend to make better decisions when they can see what’s being discussed.
Where it fits into treatment
The scanner can be used for any orthodontic treatment we provide. It’s used for diagnostics and treatment planning across the board — metal and ceramic braces, clear aligners, and Invisalign, where the scan is what the custom aligners are built from.
For Invisalign in particular, the scan feeds directly into mapping out your treatment plan: the exact movements of your teeth, how long treatment will take, and a preview of the finished result before you start.
What to expect at your visit
A scan is a normal part of an initial consultation where one is needed. It adds a few minutes and no discomfort. You’ll leave knowing more about your own teeth than when you walked in.
If the memory of impression putty has been putting you off booking, that’s a genuinely outdated reason not to come in. Request an appointment or call us on (212) 966-9628.