Australasian Dentist Magazine Sept-Oct 2021

Category 84 Australasian Dentist Power of clear aligners with multidisciplinary treatment planning – Series 3: Restorative Augmentation – Introducing Virtual Smile Simulation “The Virtual smile simulator’s purpose is better smile creation by digitizing the diagnosis, treatment planning and patient engagement process.” T he evolution of clear aligner therapy has transformed the way we can better connect and communicate with our patients. As clinicians, it also has redefined our ability to also diagnose and create a treatment plan that better suits our patient’s wants and needs. We are all aware of the age of connectivity, and the likes of social media. The by-product of this technological and social change means our patient’s wants have gravitated towards aesthetic dentistry. The digital workflow of clear aligners has enabled technology to arm the modern clinician with the ability to automate visual differential treatment plans. This allows the visual collaboration of orthodontics, facial aesthetics, and prosthodontic principles. More importantly, this visual and accurate simulation provides patient interaction and connection to their treatment plan. It empowers the patient to try before they buy and establish an emotional connection to what they want. The principles that this author applies with clear aligner software refers toAORTAprinciples amalgamating prosthodontics, aesthetic orthodontic and facial aesthetic principles to establish functional and facially driven aesthetic solutions with minimally invasive dentistry and or surgery. The principles can be grouped as: 1. Extra oral consideration 2. Peri oral consideration 3. Dentition In this third article in the series, we will explore how clear aligner simulations can be digitally enhanced to demonstrate restorative augmentation post orthodontic care. This concept of a Virtual Smile Simulator has evolved from creating the emotional connection with patients interacting with their clear aligner software. Its purpose is better smile creation by digitizing the diagnosis, treatment planning and patient engagement process. This software enables the clinician to better diagnose and treatment plan using aesthetic orthodontics, prosthodontics, and facial aesthetic principles from an extra oral, peri oral and dentition perspective. When evaluating the STL files post clear aligner simulation of any aligner system, the clinician can assess whether there are hard tissue and or soft tissue augmentations options. From the soft tissue perspective, if there is asymmetry of the zenith heights of the anterior gingival tissue or a need to lengthen tooth dimensions, this can be digitally simulated. The hard tissue or tooth perspective of the post STL file can digitally simulate direct and or indirect restorations to optimise golden proportions from the tooth’s length width ratio perspective. This can provide choices for both the clinician and the patient. This digital workflow can also provide superior informed choice pre and post clear aligners by simulating a restorative only solution to compare with the clear aligner simulation. Now more than ever, when a patient is seen wanting a smile makeover like veneers to straighten and whiten their teeth, we as the clinician can provide better digital visual and transparent treatment plan solutions. This can demonstrate what the consequences are for restorative solutions with veneers versus a clear aligner solution with minor augmentation of embrasures with direct restorative solutions. The clinician can evaluate data of howmuch tooth preparation is required and obtain more informed risks of tooth preparation of mal-aligned teeth versus post clear aligner simulation, to then restore teeth as either direct or indirect restorations. This digital diagnostic and treatment planning service has evolved since 2018 from AORTA digital lab to create a digital restorative simulation post any aligner system, for any direct, indirect restorative and or soft tissue augmentation. VISS the virtual interdisciplinary smile solution was born. “The Virtual smile simulator’s purpose is better smile creation by digitizing the diagnosis, treatment planning and patient engagement process.” The following cases will demonstrate the revolutionary power and choice that both the patient and clinician have to engage transparently and collaboratively for successful treatment outcomes. The patient and the clinician more than ever can establish a clear emotional connection of the patient’s wants and needs. PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES WITH CLEAR ALIGNERS Part 3: RESTORATIVE AUGMENTATION John Hagiliassis By Dr John Hagiliassis clinical