Orthodontics, done digitally
Modern orthodontics at Milk is digital, which makes it more comfortable, accurate and predictable. No goopy moulds, we take a fast 3D scan instead. Our imaging uses low doses of radiation. And your specialist plans your tooth movements on the screen, so you can see your likely result before you start. Here is the technology we use and why it matters.
★ 4.9 from 75 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · Real patient results · Newmarket, Auckland
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
iTero 3D intraoral scanning
Instead of putting up with goopy impression moulds, we take a fast, comfortable digital scan. A small wand photographs your teeth and builds an accurate 3D model on the screen in minutes, so you can see your own teeth as we go.
No goopy moulds
There is no tray of impression material to bite into and nothing to gag on. The scanner does all the work, which makes the visit far more pleasant.
A fast, gentle scan
The wand simply glides over your teeth for a few minutes. Nothing sharp, nothing messy, easy for children and anyone who feels nervous.
An accurate 3D model
The scan builds a precise digital model of your teeth on the spot, so your plan starts from an exact picture rather than a guess.
The whole scan usually takes only a few minutes. With no impression tray to bite into, it is far kinder for younger children and for anyone with a strong gag reflex, and you can watch your own teeth appear on the screen straight away.
Low dose digital imaging
Modern digital radiography lets us see the teeth, roots and jaws that are hidden below the surface, using low doses of radiation. It is how your specialist plans safely and accurately, and we only take the images your care actually needs.
Low radiation doses
Digital sensors capture clear images using low doses of radiation, much less than the older film x-rays many of us grew up with.
Sees what the eye cannot
Imaging shows the teeth and roots beneath the gums, so the specialist can plan around what is really there, not just what shows in a smile.
Only what is needed
We take only the images that are clinically necessary for your treatment, keeping things safe and sensible from the very first visit.
Digital imaging is a normal, well established part of orthodontic care. It gives your specialist the full picture, including teeth still under the gum, the length and angle of the roots, and the shape of the jaws. We keep a safety first approach, so an image is only taken when it will genuinely help your treatment.
Digital treatment planning
Your specialist maps out how each tooth will move on a computer before treatment begins. That makes your plan precise and predictable, and it feeds straight into the custom appliances we design just for you.
What digital planning gives you
It powers our LightForce custom braces, digitally designed and made for each individual tooth, and our Angel clear aligners, produced from the same digital workflow so each set moves your teeth by a planned amount.
Comfortable, accurate, predictable
Digital tools are not about gadgets for their own sake. They change how treatment feels and how well it works, in three ways that matter to you.
More comfortable
No goopy moulds and a gentle scan make appointments easier, especially for children and anyone who feels a little nervous.
More accurate
Precise 3D records and clear imaging mean your plan is built from an exact picture of your teeth, not an approximation.
More predictable
Planning your movements digitally means fewer surprises and a result you can see on the screen before you begin.
Technology with a specialist behind it
Tools are only as good as the hands that use them. At Milk, every scan, image and plan is read and directed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, a registered specialist orthodontist, so the technology supports clinical judgement rather than replacing it.
A digital model shows exactly where your teeth are today, but it takes a specialist to decide where they should go and how to get there safely. That is why your plan is built around your face, your bite and your goals, not just a screen.
Answered honestly
Do you still use goopy moulds?
In most cases, no. We use an iTero digital scanner that photographs your teeth to build a 3D model, so there is no tray of impression material to bite into and nothing to gag on. It is faster and far more comfortable.
Is dental imaging safe?
Yes. We use modern digital radiography, which captures clear images using low doses of radiation. We take only the images that are clinically needed to plan your treatment safely, and never more than that.
What is iTero?
iTero is a digital intraoral scanner. A small handheld wand photographs your teeth in minutes and builds an accurate 3D model on the screen, replacing the old goopy impression moulds. You can see your own teeth as we go.
Can I see my treatment plan before I start?
Yes. Because your specialist plans your tooth movements digitally, we can show you how your teeth are expected to move and what your result should look like before treatment begins, so you can decide with confidence.
How much radiation is in a dental x-ray?
Very little. Modern digital dental x-rays use low doses of radiation, and an orthodontic image is a small fraction of what we all receive naturally from the environment each year. We only ever take one when it is clinically needed.
Is 3D scanning suitable for children?
Yes. The scan is quick, gentle and touch free, with no tray and nothing to gag on, so it is often much easier for children than the old impression moulds. Many children enjoy watching their own teeth appear on the screen as we go.
See the technology for yourself
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice and a chance to experience the digital scan for yourself.
Explore our braces, clear aligners and LightForce custom braces, or see the full range of treatments.