Align's new scanner an advancement in digital dentistry

Align Technology

Wed. 12. June 2024

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Intra-oral scanning has revolutionised dental diagnostics and treatment planning by enhancing the precision and efficiency of impression taking and communication of the information obtained. Increasingly, dental practices are acquiring intra-oral scanners in pursuit of the benefits of digital dentistry for dental professionals and patients. Align Technology has been at the forefront of this evolution with its iTero range of scanners and recently launched the iTero Lumina intra-oral scanner. In this interview, Karim Boussebaa, Align’s executive vice president and managing director for the iTero scanner and services business, describes some of the important features of iTero Lumina as well as how it stands to enhance the patient experience and clinical outcomes.

Mr Boussebaa, could you share some highlights of the new iTero Lumina intra-oral scanner?
Absolutely. Marking an important advancement in scanning technology, the iTero Lumina scanner leverages the innovative iTero Multi-Direct Capture technology. This development enables a three times wider field of capture in a 50% smaller and 45% lighter wand, delivering faster scanning speed, higher accuracy, superior visualisation and a more comfortable scanning experience.

Through exceptional scan quality and photorealistic visuals, the scanner’s heightened visualisation capability eliminates the need for bulky digital cameras and cheek retractors, providing photorealistic 3D models. This enhances not only the dentist’s diagnostic capabilities but also the overall patient experience because of the smaller wand size.

“Through exceptional scan quality and photorealistic visuals, the scanner’s heightened visualisation capability eliminates the need for bulky digital cameras and cheek retractors, providing photorealistic 3D models.”

Could you describe any noteworthy observations or feedback from your clinical trials with iTero Lumina and how it contributes to overall precision in orthodontics and the state of the art in digital technology?
The feedback from our clinical trials has been illuminating. The iTero Lumina scanner has demonstrated improved scanning quality at twice the speed, emphasising our commitment to precision and workflow improvement. This advancement in imaging and visualisation translates to better communication and an enhanced patient experience.

With six cameras and an increased capture range while floating over the dentition, the scanner provides a high level of precision. It gives dental professionals confidence in achieving optimal clinical results when treating patients with clear aligners by supporting a highly effective, very accurate and fast digital workflow.

In conclusion, iTero Lumina represents a significant advancement in intra-oral scanning technology, and we are enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on the workflow of our customers, the digitisation of their practices and ultimately the overall patient experience.

Align Technology's new iTero Lumina intra-oral scanner promises to contribute importantly to the ongoing development of digital dentistry. (Image: Align Technology)

How do you envision the future of digital dentistry with the integration of digital technology like intra-oral scanners?
I firmly believe that intra-oral scanners are playing a significant role in transforming dental practices by improving precision, efficiency and the overall patient experience. With ongoing advancements in this technology, we’re poised for a future where workflows for dental professionals become more seamless and integrated.

The iTero Lumina intra-oral scanner, for example, empowers practitioners to capture incredibly accurate digital impressions, and this not only enhances the precision of treatment planning but also significantly improves patient comfort. This integration of technology in dentistry can foster better communication between dental professionals and their labs, streamlining processes and accelerating the turnaround time for restorations and aligners.

The widespread adoption of intra-oral scanners has the potential to transform how dental professionals approach diagnostics, treatment planning and patient interaction. This advancement signals a more technologically advanced era in digital dentistry, one providing a much-improved experience for patients undergoing treatments that historically might have been uncomfortable.

How does Align Technology plan to stay at the forefront of industry advancements and continue to provide innovative solutions for dental professionals globally?
For over 26 years, we have been committed to nurturing a culture of learning and continuous progress within the dental community, reaffirming our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and efficiency. We advocate for the transformative power of seamlessly integrated digital workflows and tools, aiming to redefine the possibilities of modern dentistry.

Looking ahead, a primary focus for us is to continue evolving the technologies within the Align Digital Platform and to raise awareness about how these advancements can help dentists treat diverse patients, including paediatric patients and teens. Our ongoing efforts involve combining orthodontic and restorative dentistry, aiming for superior treatment planning and elevating the overall quality of patient care.

Finally, our commitment to pioneering advancements in the dental industry is strengthened by our close relationships with our customers. Their invaluable feedback and active involvement allow us to continually refine and enhance our solutions. By placing the customer at the core of our innovation journey, we ensure that Align Technology remains at the forefront of industry advancements, delivering cutting-edge solutions to dental professionals worldwide.