New Study from Align Shows iTero Element 5D Caries Detection Capability

Align Technology announced findings of a study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Dentistry titled “Reflected near-infrared light versus bite-wing radiography for the detection of proximal caries: a multicenter prospective clinical study conducted in private practices.” This study is said to demonstrate the value of the iTero Element 5D imaging system in caries detection and monitoring.

The study compared the detection of interproximal caries using near infrared technology (NIRI) and bitewing radiography. The study also compared NIRI and bitewing radiography to clinical removal of tooth decay. The iTero Element 5D’s imaging system and its NIRI was 66% more sensitive than bitewing x-ray technology and demonstrated 96% sensitivity for posterior interproximal lesions detections.

In the study, 100 patients in 5 dental clinics across Germany and Canada received intraoral scans using the iTero Element 5D imaging system. The imaging system scans the internal structure of the tooth in real time, which is designed to aid in caries detection. NIRI was found to be more sensitive than bitewing radiography in detecting early enamel lesions and comparable in detecting dentinal lesions.

The study was sponsored by Align Technology and was lead authored by Dr Zvi Metzger, Professor, Departments of Oral Biology and Endodontology at The Goldschledger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University.