Advanced Orthodontic Services & Technology – Plano, TX
Using The Latest & Greatest
To Improve Your Smile
At Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano, you’ll be in highly capable hands with our team. Dr. Jones has over 16 years of experience in providing advanced orthodontic care. She also uses the latest technology available to provide high-quality, precise, and effective treatments to everyone that walks through our doors. Among some of our advanced orthodontic services and technology in our Plano, TX orthodontic office are our digital impression system that eliminates the need for putty, and our own 3D printer that allows us to make customized oral appliances like retainers! These instruments allow us to make you or your child’s visit more comfortable and convenient.
Why Choose Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano
for Advanced Orthodontic Services & Technology?
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iTero Impressions:
No More Messy Dental Putty! -
3D Printed
Retainers - Digital X-Rays: Better Images, Less Radiation
iTero Digital 3D Scanner
To a large extent, the success of Invisalign treatment depends on how well the aligners fit a patient’s teeth. If their fit is imperfect, they may be uncomfortable. Even worse, they could end up damaging a patient’s teeth and gums or even worsening the positioning of their teeth. Here at Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano, Dr. Tamara Jones and our team are well aware of the importance of making sure that our patients receive well-fitting, effective, and comfortable aligners. That is why we use the iTero scanner. Read on below to learn more about this remarkable piece of technology and how it can improve your experience as an orthodontic patient.
What Is the iTero Scanner?
In the past, any dental service that required an impression of a patient’s smile meant that a dental team had to use old-fashioned putty to capture a likeness of the teeth. This process could be messy, and it often had to be repeated multiple times to ensure accuracy.
Thankfully, the iTero scanner presents an easier alternative. It is a digital impression device. To use it, all we have to do is turn it on and move a small wand around your mouth. As it moves, it captures thousands of images of your teeth. Then, advanced software arranges those images into a highly accurate, three-dimensional image of your smile. In most cases, the scanning process takes just two minutes or so from start to finish.
What Is the iTero Scanner Used For?
The iTero scanner can serve a number of purposes. In general dentistry offices, it helps doctors to design crowns, bridges, and other restorations. Because our practice primarily serves as an orthodontist, we mostly use the iTero scanner to capture impressions as part of the Invisalign process.
iTero’s software has been engineered specifically to make it as easy as possible for orthodontists to share impressions with the Invisalign company. This streamlined communication can shave a bit of time off of your overall treatment journey.
Benefits of the iTero Scanner
Some of the top benefits of the iTero scanner include:
- Quick and easy impressions. If you have ever had a dentist take a manual impression of your teeth, you may recall an unpleasant experience. Impressions with iTero are much easier!
- No powder. There are quite a few digital impression devices on the market. Many of them require that a powder be placed on the teeth. No powder is necessary with the iTero machine.
- Real-time viewing. iTero software assembles the images of your teeth so quickly that your doctor can analyze the impressions and identify any potential issues with the scan right away. This ensures the most accurate results possible.
- Reduced risk of rejection. Invisalign is understandably picky about which impressions it accepts. iTero impressions have a higher acceptance rate than manual ones.
- Eco-friendly. iTero eliminates the need to use plastic impression trays, impression putty, and shipping materials to send impressions to Invisalign. It creates as little waste as possible.
To learn more about iTero technology or to get started with your Invisalign journey, contact our team today. We look forward to serving you!
3D Printer
One of the most unique features of Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano is that we have an in-house 3D printer! This technology allows us to create customized braces through the use of indirect bonding trays, which allow for the extremely precise placement of brackets. We can also print retainers following the completion of you or your loved one’s orthodontic journey. Plus, if we need to make any adjustments to ensure your appliance fits just right, they can be done in-office – no weeks of waiting required.
Digital X-Rays
Throughout your orthodontic treatment, as your teeth shift into alignment, your roots located below your gumline will too. Our digital X-ray system allows us to clearly see this area to make sure there are no complications or issues that are hidden to the naked eye. Not only are digital X-rays significantly faster and more convenient, but the process also emits 90 percent less radiation, making them safer as well!