I originally decided to embark on Invisalign training because I found the idea of a digital patient journey really interesting. I enjoyed the initial Invisalign Go course - which is designed for general dentists - and particularly valued the support I received from Align`s team from the start; there was always someone I could reach out to if I had any questions.
The Invisalign Go course required me to have scanned five patients before attending, and because we’re a cosmetics-based practice, I knew that wouldn’t be a problem, although I was given the option of deferring if I needed to.
Prior to the course, I was given a day’s training on an iTero intraoral scanner. I’ve never done impressions or moulds for any of my Invisalign treatments, so I can’t compare, but I can say I’ve never had to repeat any scans, and the iTero scanner picks up everything - I never have to run a second scan. The scanner accuracy is particularly important for my patients, as many of them travel for more than an hour and a half to get to their appointments because we’re based in a remote part of North Wales - so to get them back to the practice a second time would be hugely inconvenient. Our practice now has two scanners and I use them for all my crown and bridge treatments, too.
Patients are also amazed by the digital aspects of the full treatment process and enjoy looking at the scans of their teeth; particularly when I show them what their smile will potentially look like after treatment using ClinCheck InFace visualisation - this is a major asset to convince them about the treatment.
Guidance at all levels
An important factor in my Invisalign treatment training was the support, advice, and feedback I received; I had one case in which I thought I’d done something wrong, but the support I got from Align and Aligner Dental Academy (ADA) throughout the process really reassured me.
I was able to go onto the ADA Case Cafés - which form part of the support package - every week or so to ask questions and get the support I needed. I particularly value the ADA Forums which are also available. For more pressing questions, I can request a Case Café appointment - these are online sessions you can book at a time that suits you - which gives you a 15-minute call with an ADA clinical advisor who can answer questions and/or talk you through photographs, treatment plans or any other issues.
In fact, I still check most of my treatment plans with someone via a Case Café or Forum just to see if there are any tweaks that will improve them. Every clinician has a slightly different way of doing Invisalign treatment, so it’s a matter of picking up all these small nuggets of information, which can make things easier in the long run.
The support I receive has been a game-changer for me. With the Invisalign system, I always feel I’m in control, I feel prepared and because of this I feel that my patients also benefit. I couldn’t do it without the back-up I get from Align Technology and ADA.
Continuing along the pathway
I’ve now moved on to The Clear Aligner Therapy Diploma delivered by the Aligner Dental Academy in collaboration with the City of London Dental School and SAFE Orthodontics. It’s a 12-month blended, interactive programme, which I’ll complete in September.
At the same time, I’m part of Align Technology’s educational Align 360 Development programme, which offers a series of immersive, continuing educational experiences including on-demand courses, recorded webinars and tutorials. This means I’ve also been assigned a clinical advisor who is there to help me with any problems or questions I have, alongside continued access to the Case Cafés.
Looking ahead, I’m very happy as I am already taking on more complex cases and I’m happy with where I’m at for now. This is the beginning of a new facet of my career.
For more information visit https://www.invisalign.co.uk/gp/become-a-provider