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08 Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition | 10/2016 BUSINESS My complete conversion London lingual orthodontics provider Dr Asif Chatoo describes his navigation of digital technology My professional journey has no end or destination. If I ever felt satisfied by one system and I applied it in the same way without acquiring new knowledge or discovering more ad- vanced technologies and materials, I would consider myself ready for retirement, which I am certainly not. My voyage through digital technology, however, has just reached a natural conclusion. I realised recently that I had pro- gressed through all aspects of digital technology as it relates to orthodontic treatment and I had completed a circle (Fig. 1). My journey started with pho- tography some years ago, but the process accelerated, and in recent years, everything has gone digi- tal, including radiography, re- cord-taking, treatment planning, and the manufacture of brackets and wires. Over the course of my digital conversion, I have tried several different systems, all of which have delivered important bene- fits. The system I have used most as I completed the digital circle over the last two years is sure- smile (OraMetrix). It is a treat- ment management system and among its benefits is that I am able to provide a highly customised service in a shorter space of time, saving on average six months of treatment time per patient. I have had a digital scanner for some time, but this month I ac- quired an updated 3Shape TRIOS scanner. It is extremely fast and allowsmyteamtotakecompletely accurate and detailed records of patients’ upper and lower arches. In the past, the process took half an hour, but now it is immediate. Adult patients are particularly grateful not to have impressions taken, and the orthodontic nurses are delighted to avoid this most trying aspect of record-taking. It was invariably messy. Being im- pression-free has brought more value to the team than going pa- perless. It goes without saying that a key benefit of digital technology is the integration of the orthodon- tic processes and records. For in- stance, a scan of the patient’s teeth can be superimposed on to a pho- tograph, which I can in turn inte- grate with a grid. I can relate the tooth positions to facial planes and check that the dental midline is centrally located. I can show the patient his or her teeth and bite and I can provide him or her with a visual simulation of the differ- ence that treatment will make. The patient can then ask ques- tions. My vision for the finished result may not be the patient’s vi- sion and being able to manipulate the outcome on screen means one can be absolutely sure the patient understands the treatment plan- ning. The patient can influence the treatment if he or she wishes, and if he or she changes his or her mind towards the end, the technology allows for last-minute nuancing. In order to convey how this ap- proach differs from other treat- ments on offer, I compare it to the difference between an off-the-peg suit and going to a tailor in Savile Row. Many of the patients I treat at my practice are referred by lead- ing dentists. Their expectations are high. Sometimes orthodontic treatment is just one part of an in- terdisciplinary treatment that in its entirety will cost in excess of £20,000. Patients expect perfec- tion—in so far as it is possible in an ageing dentition—and they ex- pect a high level of service. Sure- smile allows me to deliver both. Rightly for a West End practice, many of the benefits of suresmile relate to communication and the care of patients with high expec- tations, but there are also personal benefits for the clinician. In my case, there is one that surpasses all others. Bending archwires at the end of treatment is almost always inevitable and it is an aspect I dread. Why am I so hung up on this? The reason is that, if one bends a wire on one tooth, one will affect all the other teeth. This will increase the chair- side time. The solution is the ro- botic wire bending that is central to suresmile. I aim to deliver several things to my patients: an aesthetic result, a functional occlusion and an oc- clusion that is comfortable at rest. More than anything, I want them to be wowed by their experience. I believe suresmile delivers that wow factor. I have gone 360 degrees and am now fully digital, but this is only the first navigation of new and evolving technology. My or- thodontic journey continues and I suspect a few more digital revo- lutions await. Dr Asif Chatoo is a London-based orthodontist and a leading provider of invisible lingual treatments. He can be contacted at info@london lingualbraces.com. Dr Asif Chatoo Be confident through life ENGLISH World Oral Health Day 20 March Good oral hygiene habits, avoiding risk factors and having a regular dental check-up from early in life can help maintain optimal oral health into old age. Visit the website to find out how to Live Mouth Smart. www.worldoralhealthday.org Join us for World Oral Health Day 2017! World Oral Health Day 2017 Supporter Official World Oral Health Day 2017 Partners MOUTH SMART Live AD 1 “...I had completed a circle.”