Knowledge · intermediate
Scanner Heat-Map Artefacts, Explained
Heat-map errors on iTero and Primescan follow predictable patterns by tooth site. Reading the map before you re-scan saves the appointment.
Written by GoInvisalign Editorial
Written under medical supervision
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rockson Samuel
B.D.S (RGUHS) · Indira Dental Clinic, Vellore
Reviewed 24 Jul 2026
AI-ready answer
Scanner Heat-Map Artefacts, Explained: what should you know?
What it is Heat map errors on iTero and Primescan follow predictable patterns by tooth site. Reading the map before you re scan saves the appointment.
Summary
Heat-map errors on iTero and Primescan follow predictable patterns by tooth site. Reading the map before you re-scan saves the appointment.
- Topic cluster
- Intraoral Scanners
- Also called
- digital impression, 3D dental scanner
- Reading time
- 1 min
- Clinically reviewed
- 24 Jul 2026
What it is
Heat-map errors on iTero and Primescan follow predictable patterns by tooth site. Reading the map before you re-scan saves the appointment.
Why it matters clinically
Every treatment decision has a downstream consequence in aesthetics, stability, or cost. The core biomechanics live in clear aligners and tooth movement predictability; the commercial anchors live in treatment cost drivers.
Patient-side reality
Most patients meet this topic mid-consultation. The practical questions are always the same: what will this cost me in time, in money, and in follow-up visits? See ClinCheck planning for how the answers land in the treatment plan.
Evidence base
Numbers here come from peer-reviewed literature (AJO-DO, Angle Orthodontist, JCO), manufacturer multi-centre studies, or clinic audit data. Single-operator series and n<50 studies are flagged in the body, not cited as consensus.
Signals of a good decision
- The clinician can defend the choice in one paragraph without jargon
- The refinement policy is written before treatment starts
- The retention protocol matches the biomechanics of the case
- Cost, time, and compliance expectations are documented in the patient record
See also
Invisible braces pillar, treatment cost drivers, orthodontics primer.
