Cutting Edge Technology

3D X-Rays

We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care using the latest state-of-the-art technology. We utilize the i-CAT™ machine which allows us to capture information critical to treatment through a scan that controls radiation exposure to the patient. Our digital X-rays are faster than conventional X-rays and reduce radiation exposure by up to 90 percent! The scan captures precisely accurate 3D views to analyze teeth, roots, and TMJ without magnification or distortion. By viewing the scan in 3D, our doctors understand exact tooth position, view root angulations, and even find extra teeth and their exact locations to communicate clinically correct information to oral surgeons to facilitate extraction and avoid exploratory surgery.

iTero Digital Scanner

If you are thinking about getting Invisalign aligners or need another oral appliance, our team will use an iTero digital scanning to provide you with the best possible results. But what is an iTero digital scanner and how does it work?

What Is iTero Digital Scanning?

The iTero is a digital scanner used to create a 3D image of your entire mouth. These real-time 3D images are what your orthodontist will send to the lab to craft your Invisalign aligners or another appliances. iTero scans are the key to an effective treatment.

Before iTero, things were different. Just ask your orthodontist. Previously, the orthodontist had to make sticky mold impressions of your mouth. These weren’t always accurate. But thanks to the iTero, that’s no longer the case.

The History of iTero Digital Scanners

Intraoral scanners date back to the late 1980s. These models were a far cry from the modernized versions we have today. As advances were made, a new player arrived on the scene — the iTero digital scanner. The iTero entered the market in 2007. Even back then, iTero was known for its accuracy.

The iTero is most well-known for how seamlessly it integrates with the Invisalign system. This is due to its highly digitized capabilities. Using the iTero significantly speeds up the production time for clear aligners. In fact, with iTero, the scans can be digitally transmitted to the Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS) three times faster than sending them Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions.

What Does the iTero Intraoral Scanner Do?

The iTero uses a special wand. The orthodontist will move that wand around your mouth. The iTero is quick. It’s reliable. It’s portable. It also provides your orthodontist with exceptional visualization capabilities. An iTero full arch scan can be done in as little as 60 seconds. This saves the orthodontist loads of time. And it improves the patient experience.

In addition to helping your orthodontist see your mouth more clearly, it’s also a visual aid to help explain and show you your treatment needs on a digital screen.

How Does the iTero Digital Scanner Work?

The iTero digital scanner uses a radiation-free laser wand. This wand is moved around your mouth to capture thousands of digital frames per second. These images are then pieced together to create a 3D image of your mouth.

The images are perfectly accurate 3D impressions of your mouth. The impressions are available on a digital screen next to you so you can see them immediately. There’s no waiting weeks for them to come back from a lab.

Why Is an ITero Digital Scanner Better Than Traditional Methods?

With traditional impression methods, your orthodontist uses sticky molds to take impressions of your mouth. This method is more difficult for the orthodontist and uncomfortable for the patient. iTero doesn’t use molds, so you no longer have to endure bulky clay trays being inserted into your mouth to get an impression.

The iTero digital scanner uses a small laser wand to take scans of your mouth. There is no need for bulky, sticky molds anymore. That means your Invisalign retainers and other oral appliances can be made much more quickly. So you will get them faster.

Can Anyone Be a Candidate for iTero Scanning?

Yes. iTero is an effective scanning method that can benefit anyone. iTero is safe, uses radiation-free lasers, and is extremely accurate.

The Benefits of Using an iTero Scanner

The old scanners weren’t as accurate as the newer ones. This is because the old 3D scanner wands were larger, so they couldn’t easily fit into your mouth. Therefore, your orthodontist couldn’t take complete, accurate scans of all your teeth. Especially those at the back of your mouth.

The new intraoral scanners are much smaller than the older digital scanner models. Therefore, the newer scanners are much easier to use. This is because they don’t depend on how wide you can open your mouth. They are small enough to easily take 3D scans of the back of your mouth without causing a gag reflex.

In addition, the iTero digital scanner provides more accurate impressions of your mouth. When using molds, the clay can sometimes miss spots. The iTero digital scanner won’t.

Other benefits of using an iTero scanner include the following:

The iTero provides a chairside visual aid for your Orthodontist to show you the issues and provide you with a real-time treatment snapshot of your plan.
The iTero can show you what your teeth will look like once your treatment has been completed.
The iTero is non-invasive.
The iTero can capture images of your teeth and soft tissue.
The iTero doesn’t require the orthodontist to cover your teeth with titanium dioxide powder.
The iTero doesn’t require the use of radiation to take a scan of your mouth.
The iTero eliminates the need to use and store traditional impressions and stone models.
The iTero results can easily be stored and shared with third-party providers (Invisalign) and other professionals. This means better results and improved outcomes.
The small iTero wand means there is less chance of you experiencing a gag reflex.

The iTero Smile Simulator Option

The iTero is amazing! It can not only take 3D images of your mouth, but it can also show you those scans on a digital screen next to your chair. The iTero can then create an Invisalign simulation. That simulation will show you exactly what your teeth will look like after your treatment has been completed.

3D Printing

3-D printing needs no introduction, as it has revolutionized how industries create solutions for various circumstances. That’s right; 3-D printing can be used in orthodontic care, and we use it to enhance our services for our patients every day.

We’re embracing the future of orthodontics with some of the most exciting (and cool!) technology. 3-D printing allows us to create custom-fit orthodontic appliances and detailed models, helping you achieve the beautiful, aligned smile you’ve always wanted.

The qualified team at Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics in Wichita, KS, is proud to serve the local community with high-quality orthodontic care, including advanced 3-D printing solutions. With our cutting-edge technology and expertise, we ensure that we have the tools and resources necessary to address any orthodontic need with precision and care.

What is 3D Printing?

3-D printing has become an essential tool across various industries. It uses a computer imaging system to create a detailed model of anything you envision—whether it’s an architectural prototype, an artificial limb, or a custom orthodontic appliance.

With the right materials and an adequately sized printer, the possibilities are nearly limitless. 3-D printers give us incredible flexibility in bringing designs to life.

Now, how does this benefit us in the field of orthodontics? We utilize 3-D printing for numerous applications. For instance, we use advanced imaging to capture precise details of your teeth, jaw structure, and other critical aspects of your smile. This allows us to build highly accurate 3D models or custom-made orthodontic appliances like retainers, aligners, and braces components, tailored specifically for your unique orthodontic journey.

This technology enables us to create personalized solutions more efficiently than traditional methods, eliminating the need to send molds to external labs and refining each model until it’s perfect for you. With 3-D printing, we deliver customized orthodontic care quickly and accurately, helping you achieve the best possible outcome.

How Exactly Does 3D Printing Give Me a Nicer Smile?

3D printing offers several innovative ways to enhance your orthodontic treatment experience. If you’re curious, here are the top three advancements we’re utilizing at Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics in Wichita, KS:

1. Crafting Super-Accurate Models

We create precise replicas of your teeth and jaw structure to plan orthodontic treatments with laser focus. These 3D models help us design custom solutions such as braces, clear aligners, and retainers with exceptional accuracy—no guesswork required. This precision allows us to deliver treatments that fit comfortably and effectively, right from the start.

2. Streamlining Appliance Placement

For patients needing orthodontic appliances like braces brackets or aligners, 3D printing serves as a “GPS” of sorts, allowing us to determine the exact positioning for optimal results. This accuracy reduces treatment times, improves comfort, and leads to faster, more predictable outcomes.

3. Enhancing the Planning Stage

3D models also allow us to clearly explain each step of your treatment. You’ll get a visual representation of your orthodontic journey—no confusing terminology, just a straightforward look at how we’ll work together to create your best smile. Your comfort and understanding are our priority, and we’re dedicated to showing you exactly how our painless, precision-focused procedures are designed to transform your smile.

What Else Can 3D Printing Do?

3D printing isn’t just for creating new teeth—it has a wide range of uses in orthodontics. Misplaced your retainer? No problem! With 3D printing, we can quickly and efficiently create a replacement, helping you stay on track with your treatment.

Was your retainer made at another clinic? No worries. Our advanced imaging and 3D printing technology allow us to create a perfect fit for you, even if it’s our first time meeting. This technology ensures continuity in your orthodontic care, so you can feel confident your treatment is in good hands.

Have curious kiddos at home? 3D-printed models of teeth and orthodontic appliances can be a fun and educational tool to teach them about oral hygiene and the importance of taking care of their smiles.

We believe that engaging children in understanding their oral care helps set them up for a lifetime of healthy habits. Through demonstration and clear explanations, we encourage kids to embrace brushing, flossing, and regular upkeep to minimize their time in the orthodontic chair in the future.

Summarizing 3D Printing Benefits

3D printing enables us to create customized orthodontic solutions with greater speed and precision. While it enhances our workflow, it also provides several key benefits for you:

Faster Treatment Times

No more waiting for traditional molds or external labs! 3D printing allows us to craft custom-fit orthodontic appliances quickly, often offering same-day solutions for items like retainers, aligners, and other personalized devices to keep your treatment progressing smoothly.

Enhanced Communication

Seeing is believing, and 3D models give us a new way to discuss your treatment plan with you. We can show you exactly what’s happening and how a 3D-printed appliance or model will help guide your teeth into alignment, giving you a clear understanding of each step in the process.

Precise Fit

Traditional methods often involve choosing from pre-made models, which may only approximate a “good fit.” With 3D printing, we can create orthodontic appliances that are uniquely crafted for your specific dental structure, eliminating guesswork and ensuring optimal comfort and effectiveness.

Transparency in the Process

You can witness the 3D printer in action, seeing firsthand how your orthodontic devices are made. We are happy to explain the materials and techniques involved, making your treatment process transparent and easy to understand.

Improved Patient Experience

Who knew orthodontic care could be this innovative? We’re making orthodontics more informative, efficient, and even enjoyable!

Your Local Quality Orthodontic Care Experts

Our 3D printing technology opens up endless possibilities, but it all starts with you. At Trimmell, Anders, and White Orthodontics in Wichita, KS, we are committed to providing exceptional care and continuously seek out the latest advancements in orthodontic treatment to offer you the best experience possible.

We look forward to meeting you and working together to help you achieve your brightest, most confident smile. During your next appointment with our skilled team, rest assured that you and your family will receive the highest standard of orthodontic care and support. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Cutting Edge Technology