Align Technology explains why bridging the gap between clinical planning and emotional connection is key to helping patients truly envision the potential outcomes of their treatment.
While technical expertise is essential, fostering an emotional connection with patients plays a critical role in shaping their satisfaction and trust. Recognising and addressing this emotional dimension can significantly influence patient connection, engagement and improved treatment uptake.
This has now been made possible with a software upgrade to the iTero intraoral scanner. The newly launched Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video is a powerful digital tool that can show patients what their enhanced smile could look like after orthodontic or restorative treatment chairside on iTero intraoral scanner. This latest technology brings dynamic videos showing the patient’s own face and natural smile motion – while talking, moving and expressing emotions.
Dr Mumta Jilka explains: ‘Previously, we had to explain using static photographic images. Now the patient sees their own, talking, laughing, smiling animated face – it’s personal and emotional. It’s not just a simulation; it’s their story.’
Marriage of clinical precision and emotional engagement
Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video marries wide-smile photographs and videos of the patient taken in the Invisalign Practice App with the iTero digital scan to create natural in-face visualisations of what ortho and ortho-restorative treatment might achieve presentable on iTero intraoral scanner. Clinicians can also apply their chosen preferences template, and guide patients through their smile transformation with multiple treatment simulations so they can clearly visualise and understand all their treatment options and what each might deliver.
Dr Jan Einfeldt is impressed with its results and patient reactions: ‘It creates the highest emotional connection for the patient because they see a video of 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.’
Streamlined workflow
Customisability is enhanced as the simulations can be tailored using the clinician’s preferences template, accounting for interproximal reduction, anterior and posterior corrections, extractions, missing teeth, spaces, and unmoveable teeth. Practitioners can create multiple visualisations based on different treatment options, guiding patients in selecting the approach that suits them best.
This streamlined workflow allows clinicians to generate smile simulations during the patient’s consultation, making the process seamless and interactive. The plans can be immediately shared via a QR code to allow patients to review their transformational videos and discuss the treatment options with loved ones. Results show that twice as many patients accept Invisalign treatment after experiencing the Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video compared with those who only received the 3D model, demonstrating the effectiveness of personalised, dynamic visualisations on patient engagement and decision-making.*
Dr Raj Juneja concludes: ‘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.’
Find out more about Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with Smile Video.
*Based on over 115,000 Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro simulations globally. Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro is only available on the iTero Element Plus Series.
This article is sponsored by Align Technology.
