Dietrich Family Orthodontics, a practice serving the Akron and Wadsworth, Ohio areas since 1966, has adopted the iTero digital impression scanner at both its offices, replacing traditional putty tray molds for orthodontic records. The change affects how patients undergo the impression-gathering process for Invisalign and braces treatment planning, marking a shift toward more comfortable and accurate diagnostics.
Traditional impression-taking required patients to bite into trays filled with a thick putty material and hold the position while it set, a process known for causing discomfort, especially for those with strong gag reflexes or dental anxiety. The iTero scanner eliminates that step entirely. Instead, a wand-shaped device is moved along the teeth and gums, capturing thousands of data points to build a precise three-dimensional digital model of the patient's mouth. No material is inserted, no waiting period is required, and the resulting image is immediately viewable on screen.
Patients can see a rendering of their own teeth in real time during the scan, which also provides an opportunity for the clinical team to review the model alongside them. The digital file generated by the scanner can be stored, shared, and referenced throughout the course of treatment without physical degradation, a limitation associated with plaster or putty-based models that can crack or wear over time.
The iTero scanner is specifically designed to integrate with the Invisalign system, which relies on precise digital records to fabricate a series of clear aligners. At the practice's location serving Invisalign in Akron OH, the scanner produces the type of detailed digital impression that Align Technology, the manufacturer of Invisalign, requires to generate aligner models. Because the scanner communicates directly with the Invisalign system, the data transfer from scan to aligner fabrication is more direct than workflows that involve converting a physical impression into a digital file.
The iTero scanner also includes a feature called the Outcome Simulator, which allows patients to view a projected representation of potential tooth movement before treatment begins. This visualization tool does not serve as a guarantee of results but gives patients a clearer reference point when discussing treatment goals with Dr. Todd Dietrich.
Digital scanning is not limited to Invisalign cases. At the Wadsworth location, the iTero scanner is also used to collect records for patients receiving braces in Wadsworth OH. Bracket placement and archwire planning in traditional braces treatment require the same level of dimensional accuracy as aligner fabrication. A digital model reduces the potential for dimensional error introduced during the conversion of a physical impression to a study model, and the file can be accessed by the clinical team at either office location.
Dietrich Family Orthodontics operates two offices—one in Akron and one in Wadsworth—making it accessible to patients across a wider portion of the greater Akron region. Both offices use the same scanning technology, so patients at either location receive records collected through the same process regardless of which office they attend for their appointments.
Patients seeking an orthodontist in Akron OH or at the Wadsworth location can contact Dietrich Family Orthodontics directly to schedule a consultation. During an initial visit, the iTero scanner may be used to capture a baseline digital impression as part of the records process. The practice treats both children and adults, and consultations are available for patients considering Invisalign, traditional braces, or other orthodontic options. Appointment requests can be made by phone or through the contact form available on the practice's website.
