How is the digital treatment plan created for the invisible aligners (Invisalign)?
A few sentences about the digital treatment plan
Based on the intraoral scan, we digitalize the initial positions of the teeth. In the computer-based planning program, the orthodontic specialist can set what the final positions of the teeth should look like. The dentist can also precisely plan the steps through which we will reach our goal. The most wonderful thing is that at the end of the planning process we can show the final result, what you can expect by the end of the orthodontic treatment. And if you happen not to agree with something we have planned, then the treating doctor can easily modify the plan with just a few clicks. You can find more information on the topic of digital dentistry by clicking HERE.
The steps of the digital treatment plan process are as follows
1. Orthodontic consultation
After examining the teeth, and x-rays and talking with the patient, we decide together which orthodontic appliance will be the most suitable for carrying out our treatment goal. If you choose the invisible aligner (Invisalign), then the next step will be digitalizing the teeth and intraoral structures. You can read more about the orthodontic consultation HERE.
2. Photographing the teeth with an intraoral scanner
The good news is that the whole process only takes a few minutes. It is completely painless, and you do not need to fear the kind of discomfort you would experience during a traditional impression. You can immediately view the result of the procedure after the scan, and in fact, you can already see a preview image during the process. In my experience, the most difficult part of the scanning process is that patients always want to turn towards the monitor because they are so curious about the 3D image of their teeth. However, they do not need to wait long, because in the next step we will thoroughly evaluate the situation in their mouth and they can also take a look of the created image. If you are interested in what device we use in our clinic for digital scanning of the teeth, then click HERE!
3. Viewing the scanned image and the preliminary smile design
After digitalizing the teeth, you can immediately look at the image on the large screen of our modern iTero intraoral scanner. With the help of modern technology, your orthodontist will demonstrate on your teeth what dental problems need to be solved and in what way can we achieve this goal. Furthermore, you can see, on the photo taken of your face or even on a video made of you, what your smile will look like at the end of the treatment. (The expected final result of the orthodontic treatment is fitted into the place of your original teeth by a program using artificial intelligence.)
4. Digital planning using the Invisalign computer program
If you decide on going with the clear aligner treatment, then your dentist will prepare the digital treatment plan for you. The planning process takes approximately 1 week, and once it is completed, we can tell you exactly how many aligners you will need during the treatment and which treatment package is most suitable for your teeth. At this time, we will also be able to provide you with precise information about the cost of the treatment. Naturally, our experienced orthodontists can already predict, with great certainty, during the first consultation into which package the treatment will likely fit. It is important to note, however, that this is only an informative estimate, because preparing the precise treatment plan requires a longer and more detailed evaluation. I would also like to draw the attention of our future patients to the fact that the digital planning has a separate fee. This does not mean that you must request the invisible aligner treatment after the planning, but we won’t be able to refund the planning fee once the digital treatment plan has been completed. (The planning process requires a lot of time and energy investment from the doctor.) Therefore, it is worth carefully considering which orthodontic appliance the patient choses for the treatment, because traditional fixed braces do not require digital planning, so that cost can be saved.
5. Presenting the digital plan and the final treatment results to the patient
During a second consultation, the orthodontist explains the steps and shows the expected final result of the treatment. The doctor also informs the patient which treatment package is most suitable for him or her, and how much this will cost. We provide the price of the treatment precisely, without hidden costs, for the entire duration of the orthodontic process. We also provide a written price quote. (Even a future increase in the clinic’s prices cannot change this afterwards.) Naturally, you may ask questions and suggest modifications to the treatment plan as well. If the requested change does not conflict with professional standards, your treating doctor will carry out the modifications immediately. If you would like to learn about the different treatment packages used in relation to the clear aligner (Invisalign) orthodontics, and how many aligners they include, then click HERE!
Digital treatment planning, the future of dentistry
After reading the above, it must be clear what great advantages digital planning provides during dental procedures. At the moment, only certain fields of dentistry (for example orthodontics) enjoy the benefits of this technology. However, we can expect that slowly, but possibly even faster than anticipated, digital dentistry will spread everywhere. If you would like to be among the first to try out this cutting-edge technology, currently considered the most modern, then by clicking HERE you can book an appointment for a digital orthodontic consultation.
In our clinic, the consultation is free of charge if you choose to undergo orthodontic treatment with us. (The consultation fee is credited toward the price of the orthodontic appliance.)