One of the more recent and significant changes to the Invisalign process is the introduction of intra-oral scanning techniques using the iTero™ and OrthoCAD iOC™ scanning systems. This new interoperability provides doctors with an alternative to the PVS impression and scanning technique for capturing accurate data required prior to Invisalign treatment.

 

Dr Ian Watson from Sensational Smiles in Adelaide is just one of many doctors who is making the most of this new technology to reduce chair time, improve productivity, deliver superior impression accuracy and ensure a more comfortable patient experience.

 

“I’ve been practicing for around 40 years now and believe this 3D scanning technique has the potential to deliver productivity improvements that are equivalent to the change high-speed drills brought to general practice back in the 1960s,” said Dr Watson.

 

Creating an accurate PVS impression is no simple task and often requires the skills of a specially trained hygienist or treating doctor. “I always felt responsible for the accuracy of the impressions I submitted – especially for Invisalign treatments. A proper-fitting and comfortable aligner can make-or break the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. For this reason, I liked to take them myself and would reserve 30 minute appointments for each patient. This was ample time if we were able to capture the upper and lower arch plus bite records and photographs on the first try, but if they needed to be repeated the allocated time slot was cutting it a bit fine.”

 

As soon as Dr Watson’s practice received the iTero scanner, he made it a priority to train his dental nurses to capture accurate records on his behalf.

 

“We dedicated a whole day to scanner training and within two weeks, my nurses were able to capturethe records I needed in around 12 minutes. Not only is this a much more comfortable process for the patients, but my staff really enjoy undertaking the procedure and it also means I no longer have any impression appointment time on my books.”

 

The scanner also allows the practice to commence Invisalign treatments quicker than ever before. “The scanner allows me to submit images to Invisalign and within 11 minutes I can start working on their treatment plan.”

 

Dr Watson believes the iTero scanner has been cost neutral for his practice. “Not only can we better manage my patient chair time, but the scanner also eliminates the need to take a set of alginate impressions to have plaster models made. At around $80 a pop, this cost has completely disappeared.

 

For more information contact Invisalign on 1800 468 472

 

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www.aligntechinstitute.com