A Simple Digital Workflow Reveals Straighter Smiles
As a general and cosmetic dentist, I enjoy giving my patients plenty of options to enhance their smiles based on their unique restorative needs and esthetic preferences. When it comes to fixing mild to moderate malocclusions, Reveal Clear Aligners is my go-to treatment. It’s a full-suite aligner solution with an easy digital workflow, and I like that it’s backed by Henry Schein. The aligners themselves are well fitting and guaranteed not to stain or discolor, which my patients appreciate.
Reveal Treatment Protocol
I strongly believe that good patient education leads to higher case acceptance. So, before starting clear aligner therapy, my first step is to educate the patient on the importance of not only enhancing their smile, but also the functional appeal they will experience once normal Class I occlusion is achieved. Once the patient decides to move forward with clear aligner therapy, they are scanned (TRIOS 3, 3Shape) and intraoral and extraoral images are taken, along with radiographs as necessary. All these components are digitally sent to the Reveal lab so they can review and draft a virtual before-and-after consultation.
The patient returns a week later to review and approve the treatment plan. This is done through the Digital Dental Exchange (DDX) lab portal, which houses all of our Reveal cases and allows us to send notes, fi les, and patient photos back and forth with Reveal lab technicians. Housed within the DDX lab portal is the Studio Pro 4.0 treatment visualization software, which allows me to visualize movement with each tray, share simulations with the patient, and compare patient photos with digital simulations to ensure the teeth are tracking as planned.
Case in Point
In this case, a 28-year-old patient arrived at the office with the chief complaint of an “underbite” he wanted fixed. He desperately wanted to avoid any metal appliances, so we recommended Reveal clear aligner therapy and the patient accepted. We added bite blocks to allow his upper teeth to move past his lower teeth when repositioning during treatment. After 14 months, the results we achieved were nothing short of spectacular. The patient is currently in final refinement. After that is complete, leveling of the teeth will be completed to finish off the overall case.
While I offer patients many different types of treatment, this conservative approach to cosmetic care is one of my favorites, because patients realize that by correcting their misalignment, it becomes easier to take care of their teeth and maintain good oral health.
REVEAL CLEAR ALIGNERS
Reveal Clear Aligners allow general practitioners to provide reliable orthodontic treatment to their patients that is both comfortable and esthetic. A web-based treatment-planning software, Studio Pro 4.0, offers virtual setup tools that allow clinicians to visualize, customize, and communicate treatment plans for more predictable outcomes. In-offi ce implementation, support, and access to marketing materials help Reveal practices grow.
Dr. Hamoud graduated from Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine in 2015 and currently practices general and cosmetic dentistry at Premiere Family Dental in Burbank, IL.
