We offer our Fort Worth, TX, orthodontic patients unique and custom-made appliances and braces to correct misalignment and improve oral health. But how do we plan and create these orthodontic treatments? What technology do we use to ensure a comfortable fit and accurate smile correction? In today’s blog, we’re looking at the iTero® digital scanning system.
The iTero® Process
In the past, obtaining a detailed impression mean the patient biting down on a sticky material, which rarely tasted very good, and holding that bite for several minutes. In some cases, the orthodontist may have had to take the impression more than once to obtain an accurate one.
Fortunately, that era is in the past! Now, we use a tiny digital camera on the end of a wand to take a series of detailed digital images in a matter of seconds. We then use the images the intraoral scanner gathered to create a 3D digital model. With the iTero® system, these detailed computer models will be used to help the orthodontist design and fabricate aligners, braces, interceptive childhood orthodontics, TMJ appliances, and more.
Aligners and Tooth-Colored Brackets
Now that we’ve discussed how the iTero® system works, let’s take a look at how these various orthodontic systems help correct your smile. With tooth-colored brackets, we don’t use metal brackets as part of your braces. Instead, we custom-make them using ceramic, a strong material that mimics the appearance of the teeth, blending with your smile. We then connect a thin metal arch wire and begin the treatment process.
If you want to use an invisible alternative to correct your smile, then talk to our team about clear aligners. With the Invisalign® system, we use digital scanning technology to design and create a series of aligners from a clear plastic material. Patients wear a set daily for around two weeks, upgrading to the next set as their smile is corrected over the period of about a year. We also use the technology to create interceptive appliances and retainers, which help reposition the teeth and correct the bite in young patients, limiting how long they may need to wear braces in the future.
Why You Should Consider Orthodontics
Remember, wearing orthodontics improves more than just your appearance. By correcting your bite, you reduce your risk of developing a series of uncomfortable oral health complications, such as:
- TMJ disorder and bruxism
- Jaw pain
- Tooth decay and gum disease
Do You Have Questions?
We’re ready to answer your questions about our advanced technology and orthodontic treatment options. To schedule your consultation and discuss possible treatment options, such as Invisalign® or tooth-colored brackets, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in North Fort Worth, Fort Worth, White Settlement, and all surrounding communities.
