The digital aligner revolution

Digital transformation is revolutionising dentistry at an accelerating pace, improving efficiency in treatment planning, streamlining the patient journey and enhancing oral care. Digital technologies are also reshaping clinical operations.

In the field of orthodontics, digitisation is being actively implemented in aligner therapy. The popularity of aligners and the continual evolution of digital tools have led to the therapy being one of the fastest growing modalities in dentistry. Streamlined digital workflows have improved treatment efficiency, clinical outcomes and the overall patient experience of the treatment.

Digital tools create new possibilities

Improved digital orthodontic workflows start with accurately capturing and visualising patient data. Advanced intra-oral scanning technologies now capture a larger field of view, providing a photorealistic 3D model from which intra-oral photographs can also be obtained. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), merging extra-oral photographs of the patient’s smile with intra-oral scans enables clinicians to simulate treatment outcomes, and this capability enhances orthodontic diagnosis as well as patient engagement and motivation. The recent addition of a simulated before-and-after video of the patient’s smile brings a one-of-a-kind experience to orthodontic consultations.

Moreover, revolutionary technological advancements have reshaped orthodontic planning. One such advancement is the integration of CBCT images within treatment planning software. This adds significant diagnostic value by helping clinicians to visualise tooth roots throughout the movement simulation and by providing a virtual biological boundary for planning orthodontic movements in healthy bone. In the near future, it may be possible to combine a patient’s 3D photographic image with intra-oral and CBCT images, adding further detail to the orthodontic treatment plan. Applying next-generation editing tools to such rich data combinations will further enhance diagnosis, treatment efficiency and patient outcomes.

Another technological advancement is the automatic application of the dentist’s individualised treatment preferences template. This can reduce the time required to develop a customised treatment plan, and this plan can also easily be modified in real time using 3D controls.

Additionally, new software tools now allow for the integration of orthodontic and restorative dental procedures. This enables clinicians to create multiple treatment plans and utilise comparisons of orthodontic-only outcomes and orthodontic and restorative outcomes.

Finally, digital solutions now allow dental professionals to remotely monitor and manage patients’ aligner treatment progress between visits. This helps to ensure that therapy is on track and allows for early detection of any issues. AI-powered solutions such as these can improve the quality of dental care, help dentists and patients to manage their time and enhance the patient experience.

As a specialist with 25 years of experience in providing aligner therapy, I have witnessed the aligner evolution every step of the way and am awed by this amazing digital transformation. Some are still sceptical about it. I believe that those who adapt to new technology early gain a strategic edge. Practices that implement AI-assisted imaging, personalised treatment planning and automated patient engagement will outperform those who do not.

However, let us not forget that the clinician–patient relationship is based on empathy and interpersonal understanding. No machine can replicate these values, and nurturing them lies at the core of great dentistry.

Tags: