3D Digital Scanning in Orthodontics: What It Is and Why It Changes Everything

If you’ve ever had a traditional impression taken, you’ll understand why many patients prefer digital scanning. A 3D dental scan for orthodontics is a digital impression of your teeth and gums, taken with a small handheld scanner instead of a tray of putty. So instead of holding a tray of impression material in your mouth while it sets, you simply have a small scanner moved around your teeth. Your orthodontist uses the resulting 3D model to assess your bite and plan treatment.

Digital scanning has changed how orthodontists take impressions and plan treatment, making it easier to view your teeth in 3D and discuss potential results. But it doesn’t replace a clinical examination or other diagnostic imaging where needed. This guide covers how scanning works, what the research says about accuracy and what a scan can’t show.

What is a 3D dental scan in orthodontics?

A 3D dental scan is a digital impression of your teeth and gums, created using a handheld intraoral scanner. The device uses optical imaging to capture the visible surfaces inside your mouth, and software combines the images to create a three-dimensional model.

The model appears on screen as the scan progresses. Your orthodontist can rotate and enlarge it to examine your teeth and bite. It can also replace the physical plaster models traditionally made from dental impressions.

What happens during an iTero scan

An iTero Intraoral Digital Scanner, which we have at Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, usually takes a few minutes and involves no trays or setting material. The usual steps are:

1. Your orthodontist or a trained dental professional moves the scanner around your upper and lower teeth.
2. The device captures images of the visible tooth surfaces from different angles.
3. Software combines these images to build a 3D model on screen.
4. The clinician checks the model and rescans any areas that need more detail.

Your part is simple: keep your mouth open and stay as still as you can. The scanner still has to sit inside your mouth, as the ‘intra’ in its name suggests, so if anything feels uncomfortable or you suffer anxiety from odontophobia, tell the clinician, and they can pause.

What a 3D dental scan shows

A scan shows the visible surfaces of your teeth and gums, and how your upper and lower teeth meet. It uses light rather than radiation, but it can’t show what lies beneath the surface.

This means an intraoral scan can’t show tooth roots, underlying bone or teeth that haven’t erupted. Your orthodontist may therefore recommend additional imaging, such as a panoramic X-ray (a single image of all your teeth and both jaws) or a cephalometric X-ray (a side-on view of your head and jaw), depending on your clinical needs.

In selected cases, a cone beam CT (CBCT) scan may also be appropriate. This uses X-rays to create a 3D image of teeth and surrounding bone, helping the orthodontist investigate particular problems, such as impacted teeth or their relationship with nearby structures.

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) publishes Guidelines for the use of radiographs in orthodontics, which set out when each type of imaging is justified.

Is a 3D scan safe?

The scanner uses light, so the scan itself involves no radiation. Any X-rays your orthodontist recommends are chosen according to your clinical needs, and the scan doesn’t change that decision.

Digital impressions vs traditional dental moulds

Digital impressions are more comfortable for many patients. Research suggests they can achieve similar accuracy to conventional impressions in certain comparisons, although results vary depending on the scanner, technique and impression material.

On comfort, there’s no putty-filled tray to hold in your mouth, which many patients find easier, particularly those with a sensitive gag reflex. You can also see the scan as it happens, and any missing areas can be rescanned without repeating the entire impression.

Research comparing the accuracy of digital and conventional impressions has produced broadly similar results, but the evidence isn’t entirely consistent. Two systematic reviews show why:

• A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis in Clinical Oral Investigations looked at studies involving patients with natural teeth. It found that digital scans and traditional alginate impressions produced similar levels of trueness (how closely an impression matches the real teeth). The reported 3D deviation between digital and alginate impressions was 0.09 mm, with both methods showing precision below 0.1 mm. However, most of the studies compared digital scans with alginate (a soft material used to make a mould of the teeth), so the findings may not apply to every type of traditional impression material.
• A 2023 systematic review in the Saudi Dental Journal examined 35 studies and found that intraoral scanners are accurate enough to support orthodontic treatment planning and the making of aligners. Patients generally found scanning more comfortable, although the researchers noted that comparisons of accuracy were still inconclusive. The findings on scanning time were mixed, too.

Digital files can also be sent electronically to the laboratory, avoiding the need to post physical impressions or store plaster casts. It makes sharing the information needed for your treatment simpler and more convenient.

How iTero scanning supports Invisalign treatment planning

An iTero scan can be used to create the digital model for Invisalign treatment planning. This information is transferred into ClinCheck® planning software, where your orthodontist plans the proposed tooth movements and reviews the sequence of aligners before approving the treatment plan. Each set of aligners is manufactured to follow that approved plan.

This makes iTero particularly useful when planning Invisalign treatment, because the plan starts from a detailed record of your own teeth. You can ask your orthodontist to talk you through the plan and explain why each movement is proposed.

Can you see your predicted smile before treatment?

Possibly, yes. Invisalign Outcome Simulator, a separate tool from ClinCheck, uses your iTero scan to show you a visual projection of a proposed outcome.

While the simulation is useful for talking through your goals, it isn’t the final ClinCheck treatment plan, and the actual result may differ. Your final smile will depend on how your teeth respond to treatment and how consistently you wear your aligners.

Can digital scans be used for fixed braces?

Yes. Digital impressions can also be useful for fixed-brace treatment. They can provide models for planning appliance placement and for making retainers once treatment is complete. The exact applications depend on the treatment and the digital systems available at the practice.

Scans taken at different appointments can also be compared to show changes in tooth position, which helps your orthodontist explain your progress at follow-up visits.

3D digital scanning at our practice

At Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, your orthodontist considers the scan alongside your examination and any other necessary diagnostic records. The scan gives you and your clinician a clear digital record to discuss before treatment begins, and can also support digital visualisations of your potential smile results.

Digital scanning can make the impression stage more comfortable and lets you see your teeth in 3D. Your orthodontist can use the model to explain your bite and talk through suitable treatment options.

Considering orthodontic treatment? Contact us to arrange a consultation and find out how digital scanning can help you explore your options.

FAQs

Does having a 3D dental scan mean I have to go ahead with orthodontic treatment?

No. A digital scan is an assessment tool, not a commitment to treatment. It helps your orthodontist understand your teeth and discuss possible options. You can take time to consider the recommendations before deciding how to proceed.

How long does an intraoral dental scan take?

A scan usually takes only a few minutes, although the time depends on how much of your mouth needs to be recorded and the complexity of your case. Your orthodontist may need to capture additional images if certain areas are difficult to reach.

Do I need to prepare for a 3D dental scan?

No special preparation is normally needed. It’s helpful to brush your teeth beforehand, as clean tooth surfaces make the scanning process easier. You can also tell your orthodontist if you have a sensitive gag reflex, odontophobia, or find dental procedures uncomfortable.

Can children have 3D dental scans?

Yes. Intraoral scanning can be used when it is appropriate for a child’s orthodontic assessment. As the scanner uses optical imaging rather than X-rays, the scanning process itself doesn’t involve radiation exposure.

Can I have a 3D scan if I’m not sure which type of braces I want?

Yes. A digital scan can help your orthodontist assess your teeth before discussing suitable options. It can be useful whether you’re considering fixed braces or removable clear aligners, although the treatment recommendation will depend on your individual dental needs.