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Which iTero Element scanner is right for you?
Invisalign, the treatment that patients ask for by name, calls for an iTero scanner. While it is common for drug companies to market to patients in the medical field, through social media, Invisalign has been wildly successful at penetrating the populace with their brand of ortho treatment. Align Technology acquired iTero intraoral scanners in 2011 and have worked their 1- (coaxing patients to ask their provider for Invisalign) 2- (convincing orthos and dentists to acquire the iTero scanner to serve their patients asking for Invisalign) punch victoriously.
Overall the speed of the scanners and intuitiveness are very good, the accuracy is average, and you can opt in for an all-in-one cart setup. The advanced features include smile simulators, time-lapse technology, and early caries detection.
The (most common 3-year) warranty is solid with incredible customer service that has overnighted new scanners if one fails. The cost can be prohibitive to many practices with the newest scanners reaching ~$70,000, one-use tips/sleeves adding up, and recurring software fees. Speaking of software there are limits to the integration as well as the functionality post-scan.
For those dental professionals interested in intricate specs and details on iTero’s suite of intraoral digital scanner Element models we have provided available information below including speed, accuracy, ease of use, software compatibility, and ballpark pricing.
Information in short: iTero scanners vs Dandy’s digital dental solution
Devices made by iTero are fantastic for ortho but are not as strong at edentulous scanning. We suggest the 3Shape TRIOS line for dentists whose bulk of cases are removables or who seek higher accuracy of scan precision for fixed restorative work. While the iTero scanners offer a seamless experience when ordering Invisalign, there are other clear aligner brands offering different price points that may appeal to a patient whose treatment acceptance is chiefly economically-driven. Aside from the upfront cost (Dandy provides scanners for free¹) with an iTero there are recurring software fees (Dandy’s platform is also free for users).
Dandy offers dental practices a free intraoral scanner¹.
Model: iTero Element 5D Plus (cart and mobile configurations)
Overview of functionality
The iTero Element 5D Plus has many features that aid in diagnostic/wellness scans
Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro, only offered with the Plus series, shows patients realistic projections of their own future smiles after Invisalign. Simulations are automatically created in the background, so doctors can discuss other oral health topics with iTero visualisations while your patient is in the chair. Images automatically save to the cloud so you can access them from your scanner, PC, or tablet.
The iTero Element 5D plus also features iTero NIRI Technology (Near Infra-Red Imaging), which provides 3D models, intraoral images, and aids in caries detection, all in one scan
What’s inside: Medical grade, compact portable scanner, wand, and computing unit. The scanner’s full battery charge in 2.5 hours.
Overall iTero Element 5D Plus ease of use
iTero claims this model provides their smoothest scanning experience. This scanner is hefty compared to other leading devices but past the weight, the iTero Element 5D Plus is very easy to use.
Speed
Full arch scan in 30 seconds, very good
Accuracy
Average
Software compatibility
iTero software with some aligned labs or you can export STL files and send them to your digital lab if they receive files in that manner.
Price of iTero Element 5D Plus scanner
We’ve seen iTero Element 5D plus scanners go for $50,000-$70,000.
There is also a ~$360/month scanner software fee through iTero
iTero Element 5D Plus conclusion:
The iTero Element 5D Plus is a speedy option that’s best for offices producing a high output of Invisalign trays. It is one of the heaviest scanners in production. However, the scanner has single-use tips only, and the Lite version does not claim to aid in interproximal caries detection.
Model: iTero Element 5D
Overview of functionality
The iTero Element 5D Includes many of the same functions as the Plus, other than in-photo Invisalign outcome imaging, the hybrid dental imaging system provides 3D digital impressions, intraoral colour scans, and Near-Infrared Imaging (NIRI) images, and an Invisalign outcome simulator. The iTero Element 5D also includes time-lapse technology that helps patients better visualise diagnostic, restorative, and orthodontic treatment comparisons in real-time, with adaptive anti-fogging technology.
The scanner has a 45-degree scanner head, which is the ideal angle. Unlike the 5D Plus, this scanner does have caries detection.
The iTero Element 5D is designed for use with clear aligners, but isn’t ideal for restorative work because of the size of the scanner mouth and head.
Overall iTero Element 5D ease of use
Very good
Speed
Full arch scan in 45 seconds, good
Accuracy
Average
Software compatibility
iTero software with some aligned labs or you can export STL files and send to your digital lab if they receive files in that manner.
Price of iTero Element 5D scanner (ballpark)
We’ve seen iTero Element 5D plus scanners go for $40,000-$45,000.
There is also ~$360/month scanner software fee through iTero
iTero Element 5D conclusion:
The iTero Element 5D scanner is ideal for creating scans for Invisalign tray but unlike the Plus, does not have an HD intraoral camera.
Model: iTero Element 2
Overview of functionality
The iTero Element 2 Comes with portable stand and 12.5-inch touchscreen with HD colour imaging, autocalibration, a rechargeable battery, with 30 minutes of uninterrupted scanning while unplugged, full charge in two hours. With a fully-charged battery, you can scan for up to 30 minutes using the wheel-stand or cart-configuration scanner, or 10 minutes using the mobile-configuration scanner.
Overall iTero Element 2 ease of use
Bulky, 33% larger than the TRIOS 3, scanner head is 15% larger than the TRIOS 3
Speed
60-second full arch scan, average
Accuracy
Average
Software compatibility
iTero software with some aligned labs or you can export STL files and send to your digital lab if they receive files in that manner.
Price of iTero Element 2 scanner (ballpark)
We have seen pricing from $20,000-$30,000
~$360/month scanner software fee through iTero
iTero Element 2 conclusion
The iTero Element 2 is one of the most common scanners in practices, though the industry has come a long way in the past five years since its introduction to the market.
Model: iTero Element Flex
Overview of functionality
The iTero Element Flex is a wand-only system for full portability, carrying case included. This scanner has laptop connectivity and aids in restorative and orthodontic treatments, plus has certified connectivity with Invisalign. The scanner has autocalibration and automatically saves scanning data every two seconds to the system’s hard disk.
Overall iTero Element Flex ease of use
A wand-only system means you can do full arch scans from anywhere.
Speed
60-second full arch scan, average
Accuracy
N/A
Software compatibility
iTero software with some aligned labs or you can export STL files and send to your digital lab if they receive files in that manner.
System requirements
Works with any laptop that meets these minimum requirements:
RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
SSD 256GB
Resolution for Full HD: 1920×1080
Windows OS: 10 Pro or 11 Pro
Price of iTero Element Flex scanner (ballpark)
We’ve seen iTero Element 5D plus scanners go for $16,000.
Additional ~$360/month scanner software fee through iTero
iTero Element Flex conclusion
The iTero Element Flex is a fully portable, wand-only option that allows you to take between multiple offices or scan in a small room that doesn’t have room for a full cart setup.
View a comparison of all the top intraoral scanners in the market here!
Conclusion: Is an iTero scanner right for you?
The scanners made by iTero are good devices for Invisalign and fixed restorative work. For practices considering both an Itero and a 3Shape TRIOS, you will find the 3Shape TRIOS line to be more versatile overall and more adept and capturing endentulous areas with accuracy.
Contact a Dandy rep today.
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