Virtual Monitoring: Remote Invisalign Check-Ins
Have you been seeking orthodontic treatment but your busy schedule has prevented you from making a commitment to yourself? Do you worry that transforming your smile means office visits every month? Seaport Smiles is here to put your worries at ease with an innovative solution called Virtual Monitoring.
WHAT IS VIRTUAL MONITORING?
What is Virtual Monitoring is an innovative new app for your smart phone that accompanies you on your Invisalign journey at Seaport Smiles. The app uses Artificial Intelligence technology and direct clinical oversight by Dr. Osborn to monitor patients’ progress remotely. Selfies of your teeth are taken once a week (aka “scans”) directly through the app and then analyzed and compared to the treatment plan developed by your board certified-orthodontist. If your tooth selfies show that your treatment is moving along as planned, a message is relayed to you a few hours later to proceed to your next aligner.
Read on to find out more about Virtual Monitoring or skip straight to how it benefits you and why you should only get Invisalign with an orthodontist that offers Virtual Monitoring! So what are the main benefits to Dental Monitoring? Below we examine why our clients love it!
WHAT IS THE VIRTUAL MONITORING APP?
Virtual Monitoring (aka dental monitoring) is an easy to use app that allows you to send images of your teeth to Dr. Osborn office throughout your treatment. Your Invisalign or braces treatment will begin with an in-office consultation with Dr. Osborn. You will get to discuss your treatment goals and concerns at depth with Dr. Osborn who will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. You will have the opportunity to get started with your Invisalign treatment the very same day (we know you’re busy!). After the initial consultation, you will be seen in our offices for a couple of quick appointments and after that on an as-needed basis, depending on what Dr. Osborn observes during your virtual appointments (the virtual monitoring). This substantially reduces the number of in-office visits you need to get that perfect smile!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
At the start of your treatment, we will help you set up an account within the Dental Monitoring app on your phone. You will receive your own cheek retractors and we will guide you through the process of taking a photo or video scan. Refer to the tutorials in the app for extra tips and be sure to watch our onboarding video to help you get started. For Invisalign treatment, you will send a quick scan to our office every week. Based on the result of the scan, we can let you know if you should move on to your next set of aligners or continue with your current set. You can also send us a scan if you have a question or an issue with your treatment.
WHY USE VIRTUAL MONITORING?
The best part about the Monitoring app is that you can use it literally anywhere! Virtual Orthodontic appointments are great for all patients who find it difficult to get into the office, including:
- College Students
- Adults that travel for work
- Individuals with limited transportation
- Anyone who wants to make their treatment process easier!
- Anyone who wants to spend less time on office visits!
- Anyone who wants a faster treatment time!
- Kids that participate in extracurriculars after school (and their parents)
- Parents with multiple kids
So what are the main benefits to Dental Monitoring? Below we examine why our clients love it!
1. MOBILE APP FLEXIBILITY
You probably have a smartphone by your side most hours of the day. Taking a simple scan which is as easy as taking a selfie is a quick and easy process, taking only a few seconds! There is consistent contact with patients between appointments through a series of scans and live messaging.
2. FEWER IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS
The Virtual Monitoring software drastically cuts down your in-office appointments without sacrificing your results! Seaport Smiles is the only practice in Boston that offers this to all their patients to save them time in the office and time in treatment! In the current global climate, our patients are benefitting from this technology more than ever. We keep in regular communication with you by getting weekly updates on your treatment without you even having to come into the clinic for checkups! There are fewer appointments to add to your already busy schedule and you can upload scans from anywhere in the world. Traveling for work, pleasure, or perhaps a mandated stay-cation? No problem! Your smile is still on track and your orthodontic team is here for you!
3. PROACTIVE ADJUSTMENTS
What if you haven’t been wearing your aligners full-time this week? Or maybe you took a weekend trip touring vineries and wanted to wear your aligners less frequently? This can happen from time to time with any patient, but if not managed well, can lead to poor fitting aligners and minimal treatment progress. If mismanaged or undetected, the problem can persist and worsen for weeks or months, until your next in-office appointment, and ultimately prolong your treatment. Luckily Virtual Monitoring technology is a breakthrough solution to this common problem with aligner treatment. Dr. Osborn proactively screens for fit issues, catching them early and and helping you resolve them before they cause delays in progress.
Photos with and without mark-up to show the detailed feedback you get about your treatment!
With the ability to monitor your progress weekly, your treatment is more proactive, allowing adjustments to be made more often, usually without an office visit. Not only will Dr. Osborn and the Seaport Smiles team be constantly engaged with you with live messaging through the app, but we are also able to identify any problem areas before they become a treatment extending issue, allowing greater accuracy of results to be achieved.
5. ACCESSIBLE TREATMENT HISTORY
Throughout your Invisalign journey, you can see your progress and changes in your smile from week to week! Everyone loves a good before and after and seeing your own smile transform will motivate and excite you! With the Virtual Monitoring app, you can see your full treatment history and progress at your fingertips!
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS?
If you have been wanting orthodontic treatment but life has been getting in the way, now your problem is solved! Get started with your Virtual Consult today or call us at 617-752-2220 or email at [email protected] to book a free consultation appointment and speak with our staff on how Virtual Monitoring can help make your dream smile a reality!