CADENT Scanning Technology

iTero: State-Of-The Art Science Differentiated Technology

These unique features of confocal scanning enable iTero to capture powder-free digital impressions:

Figure 1 Two types of digital imaging principles are currently available in the dental industry— triangulation sampling and parallel confocal. Scanners that use the triangulation sampling principle typically apply one angled cone of light to capture a single image at 15,000 microns.

Figure 2 Cadent iTero features parallel confocal imaging, which utilizes laser and optical scanning to digitally capture the surface and contours of the tooth and gingival structures. The iTero scanner captures 100,000 points of laser light in perfect focus at 300 focal depths of the tooth structure. These focal depth images are spaced approximately 50 microns apart.

Figure 3 Triangulation sampling scanners require the teeth to be coated with expensive and cumbersome scanning powder.

Figure 4 Parallel confocal scanning with the iTero system captures all elements and materials found in the mouth without the need for scanning powder. Because there is no tooth coating, the iTero system can operate with contact scanning techniques. These unique features of confocal scanning enable iTero to capture both supragingival and subgingival preparations.