Australasian Dentist Magazine Nov Dec 2021

Category 14 AustrAlAsiAn Dentist F rom tiktok dental hacks to how to make mouthwash at home, the trend towards doing-it-yourself has hit the dental space. We’re also seeing a significant rise in companies offering do-it-yourself teeth straightening orthodontic products. Consumers have more providers1 than ever when it comes to straightening their teeth. to help find out just how consumers make choices in this changing landscape, invisalign conducted national research in Australia and new Zealand with consumers intending to undergo, or currently undergoing treatment.2 Perhaps the most concerning find from the research was that 1 in 4 (27%) Australians and 1 in 5 (17%) new Zealanders believed they can administer teeth straightening treatment on their own – with only 1 in 4 (25%) of Australian consumers believing a face-to-face consultationwith a registered orthodontist or dentist is necessary before commencing treatment. trust in orthodontists and dentists remains high – but with close to 50% of consumers in Australia (45%) and new Zealand (41%) doing their ‘own research’ it begs to question how they evaluate their options and ultimately decide which treatment path to go down. Additionally, 50% of consumers in Australia and 31% of consumers in new Zealand said they want perfectly straight teeth and “will not settle for anything less”. “Patients are being exposed to a wealth of direct marketing encouraging them to perform DiY orthodontics and promising to deliver the perfect smile. However, we’re now seeing emerging patients coming to our practice who have tried straightening their teeth with a DiY kit and it simply ‘hasn’t worked’. i have seen some cases where this has resulted in significant issues that may prove difficult or expensive to correct,” says dentist Dr rohit Chaturvedi. “With the majority of dental patients able to research anything, anytime, it’s more important than ever for consumers to know what they are signing up for, including the risks and potential pitfalls. Assessing patients, setting realistic expectations, and understanding what is possible within the patient’s biological limits is an important part of a doctor’s role,” he said. “it all starts with making patient education a top priority. An in-person examination with a registered dentist or specialist orthodontist before undergoing teeth straightening and supervision throughout care to mitigate and risks and achieve the best outcome is clinically necessary.” he added. Developed by invisalign Australia, “Be Clear on the Facts” brings together vital information to help inform, protect and empower consumers and patients – to know the facts, know what to ask, and know what they are getting. importantly, Be Clear on the Facts calls out to consumers the clinical importance of investing in an in-person examination by a registered orthodontist or dentist before commencing any treatment. As patients start to ask more questions about their teeth straightening options, practices will benefit from being prepared. to assist with this, invisalign has developed an educational kit for dental practices in Australia and new Zealand to use to help consumers considering teeth straightening. the kit contains several resources outlining educational facts about teeth straightening and things for consumers to consider before commencing treatment. resources include a Be Clear on the Facts checklist that can be added to the practice website, featuring a series of questions to ask during a consultation with a registered dentist or specialist orthodontist, to help consumers make an educated decision on whether or not to go ahead. the ‘must ask’ questions cover what are the potential risks associated with the treatment option they are being recommended, who will be responsible for applying or fitting the product and who will manage their care throughout treatment, who they can contact if they are experiencing excessive pain or discomfort or their aligner doesn’t seem to fit properly and will they be able to schedule an in-person appointment with their treating dentist or orthodontist if they want one. invisalign providers can access these resources through the invisalign Doctor site, by ordering Be Clear on the Facts posters and flyers from Webstore, and downloading assets from the Practice resources portal at www.invisalign- pract ice.com/en/resources/beclear. Alternatively, non-invisalign providers and consumers can access information online at www.invisalign.com.au/beclear or www.invisalign.co.nz/beclear u Global clear aligner market size 2021-2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news- release/2021/09/07/2292255/0/en/Global-clear- aligner-market-size-to-record-considerable- growth-over-2021-2026.html Accessed October 2021. research lead by invisalign Australia & new Zealand, August 2020. KAntAr Australia. Data on file. teeth straightening: Helping consumers be clear on the facts and set realistic expectations n wS BLACKBERRY + LICORICE Sumptuous luxury in a toothpaste: Dreamy blackberries meet luxurious liquorice CURAPROX Brighten up your practice.... Blackberry banner.indd 1 23/11/2020 2:33:01 PM