<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">When Scan Accuracy Slowly Slips Without Warning</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Most dentists assume that if an intraoral scanner turns on and completes a scan, it is performing correctly. In daily practice, I see this assumption lead to subtle but consistent accuracy loss, especially with <a href="https://repair.dental/services/intraoral-scanner-repair/align-technology-intraoral-scanner-repair"><span style="color:#2980b9">Align Technology</span></a> iTero scanners that have been in service for several years without formal benchmarking.The issue usually surfaces indirectly. Margins appear acceptable chairside but require adjustment at the lab. Bite relationships feel slightly off. Assistants compensate by rescanning areas more frequently, increasing chair time without understanding why. No error codes appear, and calibration may still &ldquo;pass.&rdquo;What&rsquo;s missing is a true performance baseline. Without knowing how the scanner performed when accuracy was optimal, gradual drift goes unnoticed. In a digital workflow, this matters now more than ever. Once baseline accuracy is lost, restorative predictability declines, even though the scanner appears functional.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Benchmarking Mistakes Dentists</strong> <strong>Make</strong></span></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">From a clinical standpoint, benchmarking failures are rarely intentional. They stem from workflow assumptions rather than negligence.</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Assuming Calibration Equals Accuracy</span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Many dentists equate successful calibration with optimal performance. Calibration only confirms that the scanner meets minimum internal thresholds, not that it matches original clinical accuracy.</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">No Reference Scans</span></strong></h3>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Most practices never save reference scans from the scanner&rsquo;s early life. Without baseline STL files for comparison, accuracy drift has no measurable anchor.</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Ignoring Trend-Based Changes</span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Small changes in scan time, stitching behavior, or surface texture are often dismissed as technique-related. In reality, these trends frequently indicate performance degradation.Most dentists don&rsquo;t realize that scanners can lose dimensional accuracy gradually without triggering system warnings.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Why Performance Drift Happens in iTero Scanners</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Performance drift in Align Technology iTero scanners results from cumulative mechanical and optical changes rather than sudden failure.</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Optical Component Aging</span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Lens coatings and internal mirrors experience gradual wear. Even minor changes in reflectivity affect light capture and surface reconstruction accuracy.</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h3>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Sensor and Alignment Shift</span></strong></h3>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">CMOS sensors can drift microscopically over time due to thermal cycling and physical handling. These shifts remain within operational limits but exceed ideal accuracy thresholds.</span></p>

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<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Environmental and Usage Factors</span></strong></h3>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Repeated disinfection cycles, temperature fluctuations, and storage conditions all contribute to long-term performance changes. Without benchmarking, these effects remain invisible until clinical outcomes are affected.Diagnostic evaluation focuses on comparing current scan metrics against expected factory benchmarks rather than simple pass/fail testing.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Repair or Replace When Benchmarks Are Missed</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">When benchmarking reveals deviation, replacement is often discussed prematurely. Clinically and financially, this is usually unnecessary.Professional repair can restore optical alignment, recalibrate sensors, and rebuild performance profiles to original specifications. This is particularly effective when drift is identified early.Replacement becomes reasonable only when structural degradation or repeated instability exceeds repair thresholds. In most benchmarking-related cases, repair restores predictability at a fraction of replacement cost while minimizing downtime.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Chairside Benchmarking Dentists Can Perform Safely</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Before escalating to professional service, there are safe steps dentists can take.Capture standardized test scans using a typodont or reference model and compare results over time. Monitor scan completion time and stitching consistency rather than visual appearance alone. Document calibration values and note any trend toward borderline results.Do not attempt internal adjustments or third-party calibration tools. These often invalidate warranty coverage and complicate professional diagnostics.Dentist Insight: when assistants start compensating subconsciously during scanning, benchmarking is already overdue.</span></p>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">How Repair.Dental Restores iTero Scanner Performance</span></strong></p>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">When <a href="https://repair.dental/services/intraoral-scanner-repair/align-technology-intraoral-scanner-repair"><span style="color:#2980b9">Align Technology</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9"> iTero scanners</span> are evaluated for performance drift, Repair.Dental focuses on restoring measurable accuracy, not just functionality.Repair.Dental provides worldwide dental equipment repair services, offering free shipping within Canada and the USA and discounted international shipping internationally. Dentists can request a shipping label through the website form, phone, WhatsApp, or email, with the label sent by email.Upon arrival, full diagnostic testing is performed at no cost. This includes optical accuracy measurement, sensor alignment verification, calibration benchmarking, and system stability analysis. A detailed diagnostic report and repair estimate are shared before any work proceeds.Repairs begin only after approval. Standard repairs are typically completed within 2&ndash;3 business days, while complex optical realignment may take 3&ndash;5 business days. All repairs follow transparent, approval-based workflows using OEM-grade components.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Cost Transparency and Benchmarking Value</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Benchmarking-related repairs generally fall well below replacement costs. Pricing depends on optical involvement, sensor recalibration needs, and internal wear.The real cost lies in unmeasured drift. Remakes, chair-time inefficiencies, and reduced case acceptance quickly exceed repair expenses. Restoring performance baselines protects both clinical outcomes and long-term equipment value.Repair warranties typically cover corrected components, providing confidence in post-repair accuracy.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</h2>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Preventing Accuracy Drift Through Ongoing Benchmarks</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Daily handling discipline, weekly calibration review, and monthly reference scans create a practical benchmarking routine. Annual professional evaluation ensures alignment remains within clinical tolerances.Staff training is essential. Scanners should be treated as precision imaging systems, not accessories. Controlled storage conditions and consistent scanning protocols significantly extend accuracy lifespan.Practices that benchmark regularly rarely encounter unexpected performance degradation.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Frequently Asked Questions</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Does benchmarking replace calibration?</strong><br />
No. Benchmarking evaluates real-world accuracy trends, while calibration only confirms minimum system thresholds.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>How often should benchmarks be checked?</strong><br />
Monthly reference scans and annual professional evaluation are ideal for active practices.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Can benchmarking detect early hardware issues?</strong><br />
Yes. Performance drift often appears in benchmarks before functional failure occurs.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Will repair restore original accuracy?</strong><br />
In most cases, yes. Professional recalibration restores factory-level performance.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>When is replacement necessary?</strong><br />
Replacement is considered when structural degradation exceeds repairable limits.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Conclusion</span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">From a clinical standpoint, scanner performance benchmarking is not an optional exercise but a necessary safeguard against gradual accuracy drift in Align Technology iTero systems. Without a defined baseline, subtle changes in scan behavior can go unnoticed until they begin affecting margins, occlusion, and restorative fit. Calibration alone does not confirm clinical precision, and visual scan quality can be misleading in daily practice. By establishing reference benchmarks, monitoring trends, and addressing deviations early through professional diagnostics and repair, dentists can maintain predictable digital workflows and avoid unnecessary replacement decisions. Consistent benchmarking supports long-term scanner reliability, protects patient outcomes, and preserves confidence in digital impressions as a core diagnostic tool.</span></p>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">For more professional dental equipment repair insights, please visit <a href="https://repair.dental/"><span style="color:#2980b9">Repair.Dental</span></a> or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/repair.dental"><span style="color:#2980b9">Facebook</span> </a>&amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/repair.dental/"><span style="color:#2980b9">Instagram</span></a>.</span></p>


Maintain iTero scanner accuracy by avoiding benchmarking mistakes and setting reliable performance baselines.

Scanner Performance Benchmarking: Establishing Baselines