In June 2011, Align began taking digital scan from the iOC scanner instead of requiring PVS impressions. This beneficial for increased accuracy, increased comfort (no gagging, messy material), less retakes, etc. I've put together a detailed HD video of the procedure for those interested.


http://tinyurl.com/6erpobj

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Dr. Jason K. Tam
Certified Markham and Stouffville Orthodontist
Elite Preferred Invisalign Provider
2012 Invisalign Case Shootout Final Four

Toronto Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Incognito / iBraces

http://www.mcosmiles.com
http://www.markhamortho.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/markhambraces

Learn all about Invisalign at http://www.torontobraces.ca. See before and after images, Invisalign procedures, and compare Invisalign vs braces.

Wish they had this a year ago. I hated having impressions taken.

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Treatment started: 13th July 2010.
http://sammiesbraces.livejournal.com
http://pics.livejournal.com/sammiesbraces
Expected finish: 14th June 2011.
Upper Trays: 21
Lower Trays: 24

I will be getting refinements in three weeks, and my ortho just started using this new scanner instead of taking impressions. I will write an update to this post once I have it done!

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Check out my Invisalign Bog at http://invisalignadventure2010.blogspot.com/

I had my refinement scans done today using this new digital technology. Personally I wasn't too keen on this. The procedure took longer than it did getting my impressions done for my initial set of aligners. Not only did it take more time in the chair for me, it was down right painful in some areas of my mouth (lips/cheeks were stretched out WIDE to get access to the very back of my teeth, plus to get the proper scan in a couple spots the scanner pressed my gums which was painful enough to cause me to tear up briefly). Total scan time was about 30 minutes versus the 10-12 minutes it took to do "old school" impressions. I never had an issue gagging on the impression material, so perhaps this is why I prefer it over the digital method. This is just my opinion.

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Check out my Invisalign Bog at http://invisalignadventure2010.blogspot.com/

I wanted to post a quick follow up to my experience with the digital scans versus the traditional impressions I had the first time around. I went to my ortho yesterday to get my new aligners for my first refinement. Let me tell you it is like night and day how well the new aligners fit (the ones made from the digital scans) compared to the old sets I had in my initial treatment course! With the new set I have virtually no spaces between my teeth and aligners like I did in just about every aligner made from impressions. The other big difference is the way the aligners contour the gum line. I cannot feel the edge of the aligners with my tongue at all! I hope all the subsequent aligners in my refinement stage fit this well! The pain I had while having the digital scans done was well worth the well fitting aligners I have now!

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Check out my Invisalign Bog at http://invisalignadventure2010.blogspot.com/

That sounds amazing ohioinvisguy! Looks like I just missed out on this new technology. My aligners haven't arrived yet so I'm hopeful that there won't be the space at the bottom like I see on so many people, but it's good to know that the technology is improving quickly and that you could feel the difference. Thanks for the update!

PS Hopefully it will cut down the turnover time on any revisions...I had my impressions done in April and STILL haven't got aligners 4 months later!