Dental News - Digitally visualise clear aligner treatment results with new Align Technology outcome simulator

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 1. June 2022

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TEMPE, Ariz., US: Align Technology has introduced a new digital tool that uses advanced algorithms to provide in-face visualisation of a patient’s potential future smile after clear aligner treatment. The tool is available on iTero Element Plus Series imaging systems, and the company says that a realistic simulation of treatment results can be ready in just minutes, transforming the consultation process.

The Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro is the next generation of advanced patient communication tools from Align Technology. The manufacturer of clear aligners, imaging systems and software said in a press release that the tool enables dentists to show patients what the potential results of their Invisalign treatment would look like, using the viewing options of either in-face visualisation or 3D dentition view. Align said that the tool expands its existing Invisalign Outcome Simulator technology to include the benefits of the company’s ClinCheck in-face visualisation tool that combines a photo of a patient’s face with his or her 3D-treatment simulation, thus creating a more personalised view of potential treatment outcomes.

Dr Jonathan Fitzpatrick, an aesthetic and restorative dentist based in Glasgow in Scotland, said in the press release that the tool had transformed his consultation process. “It’s been a real game-changer in driving case acceptance as the emotional impact from a patient seeing their smile transformation in their own face is incredibly powerful,” commented Dr Fitzpatrick, who participated in a limited market release of the tool. He added: “I recently had a patient who came in for a hygiene appointment and ended up accepting an Invisalign treatment after seeing the in-face visualisation of their potential future smile.”

Align said that the Outcome Simulator Pro supports streamlined workflows and helps dentists to make the most of patient chair time. The tool requires two sets of digital patient images: photos, which can be captured on a mobile device using the Invisalign Practice App, and digital scans taken on the iTero Element Plus Series scanner. Outcome Simulator Pro then starts automatically, working in the background and enabling dentists to continue the consultation using other iTero tools while the treatment simulation is generated.

Yuval Shaked, executive vice president and managing director of iTero scanner and services business at Align, said that the tool demonstrates the company’s commitment to offering greater efficiency and added value to dentists and orthodontists. Shaked commented: “It is an exciting new development that furthers Align’s vision of an integrated platform of digital products and services, providing a seamless solution for doctors to efficiently and effectively treat their patients with Invisalign clear aligners and to build their practices through a holistic, end-to-end digital treatment experience.”

Align said that the tool is currently in limited market release and that it will be available on all iTero Element Plus Series scanners and imaging systems from the second half of this year.