How Digital Impressions Work

In every Bracesetters Orthodontics office—Middletown, Newburgh, Monroe, and Monticello—we now capture your child’s smile with a digital impression instead. Dr. Michael Skrobola, Dr. Jonathan Schlosser, and Dr. Mike Skrobola III have made a quick, clean, and far more precise process than the old method. Below, you’ll learn exactly how our scanner works, why kids love it, and what happens after we collect the scan.

What Are Digital Impressions?

A digital impression is a 3-D picture of you or your child’s teeth and gums. Instead of biting into goopy trays, simply open wide while our team moves a slim wand around your mouth. In seconds, the wand takes thousands of photos and stitches them together on a screen right in front of you. The result is a perfect model for spinning, zooming, and studying from every angle.

Meet Our iTero® Element Scanner

Bracesetters uses the iTero Element, one of today’s most advanced scanners. The wand is about the size of an electric toothbrush and has a tiny camera at its tip. As it glides over each tooth, the camera flashes harmless light (no radiation) and captures super-sharp images. The scanner is powder-free, so we don’t coat your teeth with chalky spray. Every Bracesetters location—Middletown, Newburgh, Monroe, and Monticello—relies on this same scanner for the same smooth, reliable results.

Step-by-Step: How the Scan Works

• Set-up (30 seconds)
  • We place a small plastic sleeve over the wand for hygiene. Your child can watch the monitor if they’d like.

• Upper Arch Scan (1 minute)
  • We guide the wand along the upper teeth outside, then the inside. A color map on-screen tells us when we’ve captured every spot.

• Lower Arch Scan (1 minute)
  • We repeat the path on the lower teeth. The wand never touches gums or cheeks. It hovers just above them.

• Bite Scan (10 seconds)
  • You or your child bites down gently while we scan both arches together. This shows how the teeth fit when the mouth is closed.

• Instant Preview
  • The complete 3-D model appears. We can point out crowding, spacing, or bite issues right then and there.

Safe, Comfortable, & Kid-Approved

Kids often worry a new gadget will hurt, but the iTero wand is gentle:

• No Goo – There’s nothing to taste or swallow (yay!).
• No Radiation – The scanner uses only visible light.
• No Retakes – If we miss a spot, the software highlights it instantly.

Faster Visits, Quicker Results

Digital impressions don’t just feel better; they also speed up treatment:

• The scan is saved immediately and sent to the lab in minutes.
• Aligners or braces brackets can be designed on the same day.
• Fewer errors mean fewer “do-overs,” so appliances arrive sooner.

Across our four Bracesetters Orthodontics offices, this efficiency keeps appointments on schedule and reduces wait times for busy families.

Digital vs. Traditional Impressions

Accuracy is another clear advantage. Because the scanner captures thousands of images and stitches them into a 3-D model, it leaves no room for the bubbles or distortions that sometimes plague putty molds. If a small area needs more detail, the software highlights it instantly, so retakes are rare. By contrast, a single flaw in a traditional mold means starting the whole process again.

Hygiene is also simpler. The scanner tip is covered with a fresh sleeve for each patient and never touches messy material. Putty trays, on the other hand, must be disinfected and reused, with water and plaster splatters that parents and kids would rather avoid.

Digital impressions in our Middletown, Newburgh, Monroe, and Monticello locations give you speed, precision, and cleanliness.

After the Scan: From Screen to Smile

Once your scan is complete, we use the 3-D model to:

• Plan Treatment
  • Our doctors at Bracesetters Orthodontics map out how each tooth will move. You’ll see a time-lapse preview of the smile shift—very motivating for kids!

• Create Appliances
  • Whether we’re ordering braces parts or clear aligners, the digital file feeds straight into lab software. Because everything begins with pinpoint data, brackets fit better, and aligners track more precisely.

• Track Progress
  • We store the original scan. We can overlay new scans at future visits to confirm teeth are moving on schedule—no guessing.

Questions Parents Often Ask

Is the scan safe for my child?

Yes. The iTero scanner uses only harmless light. There’s no X-ray or heat.

Will my child feel anything?

Just a cool breeze of air. The wand doesn’t press on the teeth.

What if my child has a strong gag reflex?

Digital scanning is ideal. Because we never place material in the back of the mouth, gagging is rare.

How long does the whole appointment take?

Most visits, including the scan and consultation, finish in under 30 minutes.

Do I need to do anything to prepare?

A regular brushing beforehand is plenty.

Digital Impressions at Bracesetters Orthodontics

Digital impressions have transformed orthodontic care, turning a once-messy step into a quick, clean part of the visit. Kids stay relaxed, parents get accurate results, and treatment keeps moving forward without delays. Our goal is always the same: make high-quality care easy to start and even easier to love.

Because Bracesetters Orthodontics has offices in Middletown, Newburgh, Monroe, and Monticello, you can choose the location that fits your schedule. Dr. Michael Skrobola, Dr. Jonathan Schlosser, and Dr. Mike Skrobola III can help you as soon as you schedule your free consultation.