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Digital technology

iTero® Digital Impression System

An efficient, non-invasive, real-time way to generate 3D impressions of your teeth. Gone are the days of the goopy stuff.

An orthodontist reviewing a digital scan of teeth on screen with a patient

We are pleased to offer state-of-the-art orthodontic care with iTero digital impressions at our Brooklyn office. Gone are the days of the “goopy stuff” sitting on your teeth for an uncomfortably long time to get the impressions that effective orthodontic care needs. Now, with technology from iTero, we take initial impressions and scans with minimal disruption to you. All you have to do is sit back and relax.

We use the iTero handheld wand to take digital, 3D images of your teeth. Unlike the putty-like material usually associated with impressions, the wand is non-invasive and you are able to breathe, swallow or adjust as you need throughout. While the scan is being taken, you can see it build in real time as your orthodontist moves the wand.

How the iTero scanner works

The iTero scanner is a small handheld wand that captures digital images of your teeth and gums as it moves through your mouth, assembling them into a detailed 3D model on screen in real time. There is no tray, no putty and no waiting for material to set — if a spot needs re-capturing, we simply rescan that area in seconds rather than starting over.

Because the scan is digital from the start, your records are immediately ready to use — no shipping physical molds to a lab, and no distortion from an impression that shifted in transit.

What we use your scan for

Your digital impression does a lot of work across your treatment:

  • Diagnosis and treatment planning — a precise 3D record of your bite from day one
  • Invisalign treatment design — iTero scans integrate directly with Invisalign, so aligner treatment can be planned from the same scan taken at your consultation
  • Progress tracking — comparing scans over time shows exactly how your teeth are moving
  • Appliance fabricationretainers and other appliances can be made from the digital model, often with a better fit than putty impressions provide, and remade quickly if one is lost

Why patients prefer digital impressions

  • Comfortable — no gagging, no goop hardening in your mouth; breathe and swallow normally throughout
  • Fast — scanning typically takes minutes, and there is no re-do if a section needs touching up
  • Accurate — a high-resolution digital model, with no material shrinkage or distortion
  • Visual — you see your own teeth in 3D during the appointment, which makes it much easier to understand what treatment will do

Thanks to these advances, we can streamline the process and make your care plan as efficient as possible. Request a call back or call (212) 966-9628 to arrange a first visit.

How it works

  1. A few minutes with the wand

    The handheld iTero wand moves through your mouth capturing images. You can breathe and swallow normally throughout.

  2. A 3D model, live on screen

    The images assemble into a detailed model in real time, and you see your own teeth in 3D during the visit.

  3. The plan, reviewed together

    The same scan becomes your records, your Invisalign plan if you choose aligners, and the model your retainers are made from.

Frequently asked questions

Is the iTero scan safe?

Yes. The wand captures optical images — there is no radiation involved in a digital impression scan.

How long does a scan take?

Most full scans are completed in a matter of minutes as part of a regular visit.

Can kids be scanned?

Absolutely. The wand-based scan is especially helpful for younger patients and anyone with a strong gag reflex, since nothing sits in the mouth.

Do I still need a scan if I want braces instead of Invisalign?

Yes — the same digital records improve diagnosis, planning and retainer fit for every treatment type, braces included.

Ready to start your smile?

Call us, or leave your number and we'll call you back within one business day.

738 58th Street, #1 FL, Brooklyn, NY 11220 · Mon – Sun · 9:30am – 5:00pm