iTero Intraoral Scanner Kitchener
Think about the last time you took a photo with your phone. You snap the picture, see it right away on your screen, and can share it in seconds. Now imagine if taking dental impressions worked the same way. That’s what iTero technology does for your teeth. This technology is used across many of our dental clinic services to improve accuracy and patient comfort.
At Homer Watson Dental, we use iTero Intraoral Scanner technology to create detailed 3D images of your teeth and gums. This digital scanning method has replaced the old putty impression process at our office. If you’ve ever had traditional impressions done, you know they’re not fun. The iTero scanner is different.
- Scan timeUnder 15 minutes
- RadiationNone — LED light
- ComfortNo goop or gagging
- Used forInvisalign, crowns & more
What Is an iTero Scanner?
The iTero scanner looks like a small wand connected to a computer screen. When the dentist moves this wand around your mouth, it captures thousands of images every second and pieces them together into a detailed 3D model of your teeth and gums.
The process uses light-based technology to map your mouth — there’s no radiation like you might worry about with dental x-rays. The scanner simply uses LED light to read the surfaces of your teeth, and within a few minutes we have a complete digital record. It has replaced the old putty impression process at our office and now supports many of our dental clinic services.
This technology serves patients across Kitchener, from Forest Heights to Alpine Village and everywhere in between. Whether you’re driving up from Doon or coming from Country Hills, you’ll find our office at 15 Pearson Street in Kitchener.
Why Digital Scanning Beats Traditional Impressions
Remember trying on shoes two sizes too big? That awkward feeling is a lot like traditional dental impressions — trays of goopy material held still in your mouth while it hardened, which often made people gag. The iTero scanner removes all of that, and because we see results on screen instantly, an unclear spot is rescanned on the spot instead of triggering a return visit weeks later.
Digital iTero scanning
- No trays, no goop, no gagging
- A small wand reaches your back molars comfortably
- The 3D image appears on screen right away
- Any unclear area is rescanned immediately — no second appointment
- No radiation, just LED light
Old putty impressions
- Trays of goopy material that often made people gag
- Holding still while the material hardened
- Impressions the lab sometimes couldn’t read clearly
- Return visits to redo the whole process
What the Scan Feels Like, Step by Step
When you come to our office near Homer Watson Boulevard, the scan is quick and hands-off — most people say it feels like someone is taking a video of their teeth.
- Getting comfortable
You’ll sit in the dental chair as usual. We explain what we’re doing, answer any questions, and may take a few regular photos for your records.
- Scanning your teeth
The dentist or hygienist moves the small wand around your mouth, section by section. Watch the screen and you’ll see your teeth appear like a GPS map filling in — it captures teeth, gums, and hard-to-reach areas between teeth.
- Instant review & rescan
We check the 3D model right away. If we missed a spot, we rescan just that area in seconds. Start to finish usually takes less than 15 minutes.
- Sending your digital file
Your scan is sent electronically to the lab — the Invisalign lab for aligners, our dental lab for restorations — and saved on file for future reference.
What We Use iTero For
iTero scans do far more than aligners. The same detailed 3D model supports treatments across our practice.
Invisalign & clear aligners
The precise 3D model builds aligners that fit exactly, and we can show you a simulation of how your smile could move before you commit. The scan connects directly to the Invisalign lab, so there’s no mailing impressions back and forth.
Crowns, bridges & restorations
We scan the tooth instead of taking putty, capturing detail that’s hard to see by eye. Your crowns and bridges, veneers, implants, and dental restorations usually fit right the first time, with less chair time for adjustments.
NIRI cavity detection
Near-Infrared Imaging (NIRI) sees inside your teeth to spot cavities forming between them, where exams often miss them. It uses no radiation, so we can check often — catching problems early means less drilling and fewer root canals down the road.
Who Benefits from iTero Scanning?
Almost anyone getting dental work benefits from digital scanning — it works well for kids and adults alike.
- Anyone with a strong gag reflex — the small wand rarely triggers gagging
- People needing dentures, bridges, or other work that requires precise measurements
- Everyone starting Invisalign or clear aligners, where a digital scan is now standard
- Orthodontic patients tracking progress — we save scans and compare them visit to visit, like gym progress photos for your teeth
Why Choose Homer Watson Dental in Kitchener
We chose iTero because it makes visits more comfortable and gives us better information to plan your care — more accurate treatment, fewer adjustments, and faster turnaround since digital files travel electronically instead of by mail. Comparing scans over time also lets us catch teeth grinding, gum recession, or other changes early.
If you’ve put off dental work because you dread traditional impressions, iTero scanning may change your mind. Our office is at 15 Pearson Street in Kitchener, Ontario N2C 0C5 — easily reached via Homer Watson Boulevard or Highway 401 from the south end, Cambridge, and neighbourhoods like Forest Heights, Alpine Village, Country Hills, and Stanley Park. Call 226-270-6311 or email admin@homerwatsondental.com to book, or contact us with questions.
Common Questions About iTero Scanning
Does the iTero scan use radiation?
No. The scanner uses LED light, not radiation, to map your teeth and gums. That means we can scan as often as needed — including NIRI cavity checks — without any concern.
What makes iTero different from other scanners?
iTero has been refined since 2007 and doesn’t require the powder coating some scanners spray on your teeth first. It captures thousands of images per second, so your appointment is fast and the detailed images help us plan better treatment.
Can iTero track my treatment progress?
Yes. We save each scan and compare it to earlier ones, so you can see how far your teeth have moved during orthodontic treatment — changes too small to notice day to day. It also helps us watch for grinding or gum recession.
Is it a good option if I gag easily or I’m bringing a child?
Absolutely. The small wand is far less likely to trigger gagging than putty trays, and the light-based, hands-off process works comfortably for both kids and adults.
What happens to my scan afterward?
Your digital file is saved in our system and sent to the right lab — Invisalign for aligners, our dental lab for crowns and restorations. Aligners usually arrive within a few weeks; restoration timelines depend on your case but move faster than the old mailed-impression method.
Ready to book your Dental Clinic Services Itero Intraoral Scanner consultation?
New patients welcome. CDCP accepted. Book online in under a minute, or call us directly.