Align Technology shares the experience of three dentists with innovative new technologies that are transforming engagement, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Three UK practitioners who have been early adopters of new digital innovations designed to help boost patient engagement, support diagnosis of oral health conditions and create more transparent, personalised treatment journeys have reported greater treatment acceptance since adopting them.
Dr Raj Juneja, Dr Jan Einfeldt and Dr Mumta Jilka put the latest updates to the Align Digital Workflow through their paces and reported that the digital advances are helping to foster much clearer patient communication, leading to closer emotional connections and, ultimately, greater treatment acceptance.*
The new innovations which are incorporated in the iTero intraoral scanner software, not only offer general dentists and orthodontists support with their diagnosis and Invisalign treatment planning, but also enable them to explain and demonstrate their findings and treatment recommendations with greater clarity.
Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video is the latest enhancement to the iTero scanner software. This engaging digital tool shows patients what their enhanced smile could look like after orthodontic or restorative treatment by superseding static smile simulations with dynamic, realistic videos which show the patient’s own face and natural mouth movements – smiling, talking, or turning their head. It bridges the gap between clinical planning and emotional connection, helping patients truly see the potential results of treatment in the most engaging way.
‘It’s them – only better’
‘You can see when a patient leans forward; they’re totally captivated. Then we share the video easily via a QR code, and they show their friends and family. We’ve seen a definite uplift in case acceptance because of the new Invisalign Smile Video functionality,’ says Dr Raj Juneja.
Dr Jan Einfeldt adds: ‘It creates the highest emotional connection for the patient because they see themselves moving – it’s them – only better. The Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video gives us something unexpected to offer them – creating an immediate visual, emotional connection.’
Dr Mumta Jilka agrees: ‘Previously, we had to explain using static photographic images. Now the patient sees their own, moving face, showing animated expressions – it’s personal and emotional. It’s not just a simulation; it’s their story.’
The Align Oral Health Suite supports the diagnosis of a range of oral health conditions using an iTero intraoral scan. It assesses tooth health, alignment and bite as part of an all-in-one chairside consultation that can help patients see possible oral health conditions and discuss potential root causes and treatment needs with their doctor. This combination of assessment alongside education ultimately builds trust between clinician and patient.
The recent update includes a new patient gallery – a collection of patient imagery for supplemental record-keeping and streamlined communication alongside new simplified oral health reports – with annotation tools. It is shareable via QR code so the patient can quickly and easily receive a summary of the discussion.
Turning consultation into conversation
Says Dr Jan Einfeldt: ‘Using the Align Oral Health Suite lets me show the patient clearly and turns the consultation into a conversation, transforming the intake into co-diagnosis.’
His comments are echoed by Dr Raj Juneja and Dr Mumta Jilka. ‘The Align Oral Health Suite turns conversations into visual experiences. Instead of telling patients they’ve got problems with their oral health, we show them their scan, their occlusion, their compromised periodontal status – they see it and they immediately get it,’ says Dr Jilka.
‘From a commercial perspective, our treatment coordinators can use the Align Oral Health Suite when following up with patients. They can show exactly why their doctor recommended certain steps, for example, doing fillings before cosmetic work.’
In fact, their comments are supported by surveys showing that 78% of dentists agree they increased orthodontic treatment acceptance using the Align Oral Health Suite,** while 92% agreed it helped increase practice revenue.*** When a patient clearly sees and understands their oral health status and treatment options it fosters greater trust and commitment to treatment.
Meanwhile iTero Design Suite software powered by exocad has been developed for the growing number of dental practices transitioning to digital dentistry and wanting to offer same-day restorative dentistry, with a simple, intuitive, doctor and practice team-friendly chairside design workflow. Traditionally, creating models, splints, or restorations has involved multiple separate systems and external vendors. These obstacles can prevent practices from fully realising the benefits of ‘same-day restorative dentistry’, even when they have access to digital equipment.
Overcoming limitations
To help overcome these limitations this all-in-one chairside CAD platform streamlines the digital design and production process, making it more intuitive and efficient. The upgraded software offers seamless compatibility with a growing selection of 3D printers and chairside milling machines,**** enabling clinicians to scan, design, and manufacture 3D dental appliances entirely in-house, shorting time to start treatment.
The new introduction will enable clinicians to design a variety of in-practice dental treatments, including models, bite splints, and prosthetics, and now includes aesthetic mock-ups. This new workflow will allow practitioners to visualise treatment possibilities and fabricate mock-ups directly using built-in print parameters, simplifying the process from design to print and supports improved patient communication, engagement and case acceptance.
UK practitioners who have embraced these cutting-edge digital innovations report tangible benefits for patient engagement, diagnosis, and treatment acceptance. Tools such as the iTero intraoral scanner, Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video, Align Oral Health Suite, and iTero Design Suite powered by exocad are transforming consultations into interactive, personalised experiences. By combining clear visualisation, dynamic simulations, and chairside design capabilities, these technologies allow clinicians to communicate findings and treatment plans more effectively, build trust, and foster emotional connections with patients.
Early adopters such as Dr Raj Juneja, Dr Jan Einfeldt, and Dr Mumta Jilka note that patients respond positively when they can see their own moving smile, understand their oral health status, and explore treatment options in real time. Collectively these innovations not only enhance patient understanding and engagement but also support increased case acceptance, improved workflow efficiency, and more streamlined, profitable practice operations.
For more information visit www.itero.com/en-gb/education-and-support/contact-us.
Disclaimers
*90% of surveyed doctors agree they increased patient treatment acceptance utilising Align Oral Health Suite. Based on a global survey in October 2023 of n=41 Invisalign trained doctor respondents who utilised Align Oral Health Suite 20 times or more during the global limited market release period of August 2023 to October 2023, representing both GPs (n=27) and Orthos (n=14) in NA, APAC, EMEA, and LATAM. Doctors were asked: ‘Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: I increased patient treatment acceptance utilising Align Oral Health Suite (treatment acceptance includes hygiene treatment, restorative procedures, and orthodontic cases).’ Agreement scale is 1-4 with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 4 being ‘strongly agree’. Data on File at Align Technology, as of November 17, 2023.
**Based on a global survey in October 2023 of n=41 Invisalign trained doctor respondents who utilized Align Oral Health Suite 20 times or more during the global limited market release period of August 2023 to October 2023, representing both GPs (n=27) and Orthos (n=14) in NA, APAC, EMEA, and LATAM. Doctors were asked: ‘Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: I increased orthodontic treatment acceptance utilising Align Oral Health Suite (vs. previous workflow and tools).’ Agreement scale is 1-4 with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 4 being ‘strongly agree’. Data on File at Align Technology, as of November 17, 2023.
***Based on a global survey in October 2023 of Invisalign trained GPs (n=27) from NA, APAC, and EMEA who used the Align Oral Health Suite 20 times or more during the global limited market release period of August 2023 to October 2023. Doctors were asked: ‘Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: I increased practice revenue utilising Align Oral Health Suite into my patient consultations.’ Agreement scale is 1-4 with 1 being ‘strongly disagree’ and 4 being ‘strongly agree’. Data on File at Align Technology, as of November 17, 2023.
****Compatible 3D printers vary by region and availability. Compatibility with chairside milling machines may vary. iTero Design Suite integrates with 3D Systems: NextDent, ASIGA, DEKEMA, Desktop Health, Formlabs GmbH, Phrozen 3D, SprintRay, Way2Production GmbH, Kulzer Cara, Ackuretta, WhipMix, DWS, HeyGears, Microlay, MiiCraft, nexa3D, Planmeca, Prusa Medical, rapidshape, UNIZ, Shining 3D, Mogassam. iTero Design Suite supports milling units using MillBox software, including Imes-Icore, DG shape, Up3D, DOF, Arum, Aidite, Redon, Plancam, Technodrill, Tecno-gaz and others
This article is sponsored by Align Technology.
