From artificial intelligence to 3D printing, Zelko Relic explains how Align Technology keeps up with the latest technological advances.
How has artificial intelligence changed patient care and customer experience in the dental industry in recent years?
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly popular topic. We have witnessed significant advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) over the past decade. The development of new technologies using artificial intelligence is only accelerating, offering new opportunities for application in many industries, including dentistry and orthodontics.
Artificial intelligence has certainly transformed the patient and physician care experience in our field. At Align Technology, we have been integrating digital solutions into our operations for the past 27 years and aim to be at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence and new technologies to continue revolutionizing dentistry.
For example, by leveraging large amounts of anonymized data through our research and development processes, we can adjust and refine our treatment algorithms.
As a result, this extensive data set allows for more accurate and effective treatment planning. This not only improves patient outcomes, but also offers a new way to improve the physician experience, allowing them to gain more clinical confidence when treating patients.
How has artificial intelligence been integrated into dental practices? Does it increase the ability and speed of detecting pathology?
Artificial intelligence has improved dental practices by integrating technology into both clinical and workflow processes. In addition to leveraging anonymized data and clinical flows to improve treatment planning ML models, we also offer physicians, patients, and consumers AI-based features and software to support treatment selection, planning, and monitoring.
First, through raising awareness when consumers are considering straightening teeth in the evaluation phase. Then, during the consultation phase, for provider evaluation via virtual appointment and intraoral scan in the office. Finally, throughout the phase of integration and use of Invisalign.
On the clinical side, by combining imaging data from intraoral scanners and leveraging extensive patient data sets, AI helps diagnose conditions, detect pathology and plan treatments. We develop artificial intelligence models to determine alignment fit and detect attachments. Ultimately, this type of technology allows dental professionals to further leverage and enhance their experience and skills to deliver improved clinical outcomes and optimize the patient experience, which is a very exciting prospect.
The Align Oral Health suite is a prime example that includes AI applications. These tools enhance the physician’s understanding of their patient’s needs while allowing them to explore and compare different treatment planning options. AI-based solutions can also help visualize potential outcomes, supporting physician communication with their patients and allowing them to make an informed decision about their treatment plan.
Beyond the clinical aspects, artificial intelligence is optimizing the workflow of dental practices. For example, by applying large language models, AI can streamline various processes. Thus automating tasks to improve overall practice efficiency.
What about tele-dentistry, will it be possible in the future to have a check-up with our dentist without leaving home? Could we monitor our oral health in the future thanks to artificial intelligence?
While we emphasize that AI should not replace the expert role of dental professionals, tele-dentistry allows for a combination of in-person visits as well as home care. This reduces the need for frequent trips to the dentist’s office. The Invisalign Virtual Care doctor-patient experience includes AI-powered features such as automated assessment and patient progress reports integrated with doctor apps.
As technology advances and new tools are developed, doctors are able to supervise treatments more closely, monitor patients’ responses to treatments remotely, and be alerted if problems arise.
In the future, some health indicators may be monitored orally. Artificial intelligence and tele-dentistry will provide patients with more convenient and efficient oral health care and monitoring from the comfort of their own home.
When it comes to 3D printing, how has this technology progressed in recent years?
From healthcare to engineering, 3D printing is transforming industries and creating new opportunities for innovation. At Align, we’ve used 3D printing from the ground up. In fact, we have the largest 3D printing operations in the world, used to manufacture approximately one million custom clear aligner components per day.
During the last decade, significant investments have driven the evolution of 3D printing in different industries. In the dental field, more and more companies are taking advantage of 3D printing. This is in addition to new materials, machines and processes designed specifically for dental applications. We expect this to continue to accelerate in the coming years.
What are the future challenges of 3D printing?
One of the main challenges in 3D printing is developing solutions that maintain efficiency, quality and consistency at scale. At Align, we apply artificial intelligence during the manufacturing process of our Invisalign clear aligners to help identify potential defects to maintain production quality.
However, ensuring that 3D printing technology can handle large volumes while optimizing the accuracy and reliability required is a challenge we continue to face.
What recent developments in 3D material printing has Align achieved?
We have seen great advances in 3D printing materials. Initially, 3D printing was based on a limited range of materials, but recent innovations have expanded the possibilities. The manufacturing process has also been improved with 3D printing, making it faster and more efficient.
This constant innovation continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in dental care, delivering better outcomes for patients. For example, the Invisalign Palatal Expander System is Align’s first direct 3D printed orthodontic appliance and provides an alternative to metal palatal expanders. This innovation is currently pending regulatory approvals in the EU before we can introduce it to European markets.
With the acquisition of Cubicure GmbH – a pioneer in direct 3D printing solutions for polymer additive manufacturing – we are looking at ways to expand the materials and manufacturing capabilities for our 3D printed product portfolio. This will provide greater customization and personalization.
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This article is sponsored by Align Technology.
