Aspen Dental Management, Inc., has announced an agreement with Align Technology, Inc., makers of the Invisalign® clear aligner system, to equip all Aspen locations in the US with an iTero Element intraoral scanner. The multi-year agreement will enable an end-to-end digital workflow in all Aspen Dental locations.
“We, along with the dentists whose practices we support, are excited to integrate Align’s end-to-end digital workflow, which begins with the iTero scanner in every Aspen Dental office,” said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of ADMI. “The expected benefits to Aspen Dental practices are significant – enhanced ability to perform orthodontia services, lower lab fees, reduced usage of impression material, and quicker completion time for crown and bridge cases. Additionally, the iTero scanning technology will allow dentists at Aspen Dental to give their patients a high-impact, 3D visualization of their dentition, ensuring more effective chairside communication that can help patients get the care they need.”
After a quick digital scan with the iTero Element scanner, patients can see a simulation of how their new smile may look even before they commit to Invisalign treatment. Unlike traditional dental impressions, which can take weeks to process, Align’s end-to-end digital workflow leveraging the iTero scanner transmits the patient’s 3D dental model immediately, making it possible for patients to begin their treatment sooner. The iTero scanner is also integral to tooth restorative procedures such as crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, and onlays.
With nearly 700 locations in 38 states, Aspen Dental is the largest and fastest-growing network of branded dental care practices in the US, with a new office opening every five days. Aspen Dental staff treated over 1.7 million patients in 2017. After completing an Invisalign training program, Aspen practice dentists will be able to offer Invisalign clear aligner treatment.
“We’re excited to partner with ADMI and Aspen Dental practices as they transition to a fully digital end-to-end workflow enabled by the iTero Element scanner,” said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO. “Aspen Dental’s commitment to continuous innovation is demonstrated by its move to a digital platform and its recognition that iTero Element scanners can drive higher Invisalign utilization and more efficient restorative dentistry, along with positive experiences for their patients.”
Align is a leading sponsor of the annual Aspen Dental Leadership Retreat in August 2018, where hundreds of dentists will participate in an Invisalign training program.
Align’s end-to-end digital workflow includes the iTero Element intraoral scanners’ restorative capabilities and the iTero modeling process which helps to ensure efficient laboratory submission, minimize scan retakes, and enable consistent restorative outcomes. iTero restorative STL files are open to send directly to dental labs or to export from the iTero cloud account. With the expansive iTero lab network, which includes over 3,000 laboratories, implant and digital treatment planning providers, restorative solutions are even more convenient than ever.
