Technology

At Cassinelli, Shanker, & Associates Orthodontics, we work diligently to make choosing the right orthodontist an easy decision. You need a practice that truly cares for your oral health and prioritizes modern and effective treatments, and we are confident that we have the tools and expertise to outfit you with a smile you’re proud to wear. Our team strives to stay on the cutting-edge of orthodontics by adopting the latest technology and processes that best serve our family of patients. By blending this state-of-the-art technology with optimized techniques, we can consistently deliver beautiful results that our patients can enjoy for a lifetime. 

 

iTero® Digital Impression System

Tray impressions are a thing of the past now that we have access to technology such as the iTero® digital impression system that allows us to see every aspect of your smile to make informed treatment decisions. The iTero® scanner is a hand-held wand that captures pictures of your teeth and gums. The pictures are used to create a 3D model of your smile to see what areas need attention and how we can move certain teeth to achieve the desired result.

We can adjust this digital projection of your teeth so you have a clearer idea of what your smile will be like after you complete treatment. This adjusted image also allows you to make suggestions and express your needs and concerns to our doctors so they may create a plan that works best for your orthodontic goals.

This 3D image of your teeth and gums also allows our team to print aligners that fit snugly over your teeth and create custom-fit retainers for maximum comfort and efficiency. Your smile isn’t one size fits all, so your treatment should be tailored to perfectly suit your needs. A customized aligner or retainer will keep consistent pressure on your teeth and gently push them into the best spot for your dream smile. The iTero® scanner is also used for indirect bonding scans as well as other appliances.

The iTero® scanner gives us the opportunity to better understand your smile and ensure that you receive an appliance that is as unique as you. Our office has always embraced technology that we believe will give our patients the best treatment experience possible. This scanner is just one of the many advancements our practice has made to ensure we are honoring your investment of time and money for a smile that will improve your self-esteem and give you the confidence to bravely face every day.

3D Printing

Once we scan your mouth and craft a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs, the exciting journey to your new smile moves forward. We will take the projection from the iTero® scanner and design a series of clear aligners that fits every groove of your teeth as well as retainers to help you achieve and maintain that dream smile.

It’s crucial that your appliance fits well, so your smile benefits from consistent pressure and heightened comfort. You will receive a new set of aligners every two weeks that have been slightly adjusted to move your teeth closer to the final position.

One of the greatest benefits of being able to print clear aligners in-house is that we can get adjusted appliances to you quickly. If there are any changes that need to be made during the course of your treatment, we can make digital refinements and print a new set of aligners that will help your progress. We are passionate about perfecting smiles and improving oral health, and this technology helps us achieve these goals and best serve our patient families.

CBCT

Cone-beam computed tomography systems, or CBCT is an imaging system that constructs a 3D image of a patient’s teeth, mouth, jaw, and neck by rotating around their head and using a cone-shaped X-ray beam to gather information. This X-ray is quick and non-invasive, so there is no need to worry about preparing for the appointment in advance.

The information and image we pull from this device will allow us to better identify your orthodontic needs and figure out which course of treatment would serve your best interests. This in-depth X-ray allows us to see not only your teeth but also your nerve pathways, bone, and soft tissues. Our practice adopted this machine because it gives us the opportunity to craft precise treatment plans, which allows us to create more beautiful smiles.

LightForce Brackets

We are one of the only practices in the area offering the world’s ONLY fully customized, 3D printed braces. We are proud to offer this cutting-edge treatment utilizing recent advancements in 3D digital scanning and 3D printing. LightForce allows our doctors to provide true custom treatment to each and every patient. LightForce 3D prints your braces to match the exact contour of every single tooth, resulting in faster treatment times, more comfort, and fewer appointments.

We start with a digital scan of your teeth and the doctor will create a digital treatment plan, that is fully customized to your teeth’s needs, with every tooth movement preprogrammed from the beginning. The braces are then 3D printed for each tooth’s unique shape and intended movement. These custom brackets will also result in fewer emergency appointments. With LightForce your smile is unique, and your braces are too.