Abstract

The iTero Element 5D imaging system is the first intraoral 3D scanner integrated with near-infrared imaging (NIRI) technology. NIRI has the potential to revolutionize patient treatment and the overall workflow in dental offices. This technology provides practitioners with an aid for early detection of interproximal caries above the gingiva, which is one of the gravest threats to oral health (equal in seriousness to periodontal disease) per the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the near-infrared electromagnetic spectrum range of 0.7 to 2.0 μm, the iTero Element 5D Imaging System uses light of wavelength (= 850 nm), which interacts with the hard tissue to provide additional data of the tooth structure. The dentin will appear bright, with areas of pathology or demineralization appearing as white spots on the display. The iTero Element 5D imaging system, the latest incarnation of NIRI technology, is an “innovative, integrated optical diagnostic aid,” using a class 1 laser, as Keshav stated in the iTero Element 5D Clinical Guide (Near-infrared imaging technology in dentistry — iTero Element 5D).

It gives practitioners the ability to view multiple dimensions of data, as well as to virtually manipulate the model for a comprehensive view. It is the logical next step in digital diagnostic technology and is quickly replacing both conventional impressions and first-generation intraoral scanners. Advanced scanning technology together with artificial intelligence (AI), streamline the treatment and diagnosis process into the future of dentistry.