What Is an iTero Scanner? Digital Dental Impressions Explained
If you've ever had a crown, a night guard, or braces, you probably remember the impression tray: a mouthful of cold, goopy putty you had to bite into and hold perfectly still, trying not to gag, hoping the mold turned out well enough that you wouldn't have to do it again. For decades, that was the only way dentists could capture the shape of your teeth.
Not anymore. Our Redwood City office now uses the iTero intraoral scanner, one of the most advanced digital impression systems in modern dentistry. Here's what it is, how it works, and why patients across the Bay Area Peninsula love it.
How the iTero Scanner Works
The iTero scanner is a small handheld wand connected to a computer. As we glide it gently over your teeth, it captures thousands of images per second and stitches them together into a highly accurate, full-color 3D model of your teeth and gums, in real time, right on the screen in front of you.
The entire scan takes just a few minutes. There's no impression material, no trays, no unpleasant taste, and nothing to trigger a gag reflex. If we need to recapture an area, we simply rescan that spot without starting over from scratch.
Digital Scans vs. Traditional Impressions
Beyond comfort, accuracy is the real story. Studies consistently show digital impressions are as accurate as conventional molds, and often more accurate. For restorations like crowns and veneers, that precision translates into better-fitting results with fewer adjustments.
What We Use the iTero Scanner For
Invisalign treatment. The iTero scanner was built with Invisalign in mind. Your digital scan is sent directly to Invisalign for aligner fabrication, and the built-in Outcome Simulator can show you a preview of your straightened smile before you commit to treatment. It's one of the most motivating moments in dentistry: seeing your future smile on screen at your very first visit.Crowns, bridges, and veneers. Digital impressions mean your restorations are milled from an exact 3D model of your teeth, improving fit and reducing the number of appointments needed for adjustments.Night guards and retainers. Custom appliances fit better when they start from a precise digital scan.Monitoring your oral health over time. Because your scans are stored digitally, we can compare them visit to visit and catch changes early: tooth wear, gum recession, or teeth beginning to shift.Is Digital Scanning Safe?
Yes. The iTero scanner uses radiation-free optical technology, essentially a very sophisticated camera. It emits no X-rays, making it completely safe for all patients, including children and pregnant patients.
What Patients Notice Most
- Speed: a full-mouth scan in minutes, not multiple impression attempts
- Comfort: no putty, no trays, no gagging
- Engagement: you see your own teeth in 3D and understand exactly what we're seeing
- Confidence: preview your Invisalign results before starting treatment
Experience Digital Dentistry in Redwood City
The iTero scanner is part of our ongoing investment in technology that makes dental care more comfortable, more precise, and more transparent for our patients in Redwood City, San Mateo, Belmont, Menlo Park, and across the Bay Area Peninsula.
Curious what your smile could look like after Invisalign? Call (650) 820-0337 or book online for a complimentary consultation. The 3D scan and smile preview take just minutes.
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Dr. Apurva Dabak, DDS
General & Aesthetic Dentist · Redwood City, CA
Dr. Apurva Dabak is a general and aesthetic dentist serving patients in Redwood City and across the Bay Area Peninsula. She is passionate about patient education and helping her community achieve and maintain optimal oral health.