We are a digital practice!

More efficient workflows thanks to the digital practice

The digital workflow experience

When patients walk into our practice, they start their day by logging into our online counter. We automatically know they are in the waiting room, and we let them know where to go through a monitor.
With our app, they can make a new appointment or change an existing appointment, as well as access all their digital photographs and x-rays.

Our orthodontic digital workflow is established by intraoral scanning, digital imaging, software to simulate treatment, and 3D printing.

Better patient experience
This means that, as a patient, you will have all your files digitally and some of the previous appointments needed are not required anymore. This happens because instead of adjusting some specific braces in the mouth, we send your digital intraoral scan to the laboratory and we make adjustments with the help of specific softwares. Through 3D printing we get to our end product faster and with more precision!

Going digital for us means increasing quality in the orthodontic experience of our patients: better, safer and faster orthodontic care!

Scanning: the digital impression

Digital models
Digital models are the equivalent of the old “cast models”. Instead of making a physical copy of your teeth with an impression, we use a camera to make several pictures of your teeth. With these images, our scanner builds a digital 3D model of your teeth and bite. Also, they are stored in the computer indefinitely and they can easily be sent to you.
Apart from the technologic aspect, scanning is also more comfortable to the patients (and to the staff!).

Digital simulations of the treatment with Invisalign
Because the models are now digital, it is very easy to make simulations of the expected result of your treatment. That helps give you an idea of our final goal!
With aligners, these simulations are responsible for the production of the set of aligners. Learn more about aligners here .

3D printed models
Also, for other types of braces such as the expanders , we send the digital files to the laboratorium and they plan the braces on 3D printed models! In practice, this means we can reduce the number of appointments required to place expanders and that, in case the laboratorium needs another copy of the models, they can always 3D print it again from the digital files.

Digital Imaging

Part of the orthodontic documentation is to obtain x-rays and photographs. In our practice, we use make digital x-rays and digital photographs.

We take digital radiographs inside our practice, with the Orthophos appliance from Sirona. It offers us the best image quality at the lowest possible radiation dose.

Aligners

Aligners are the latest technology available on the market and Dr. Sanders-Mello has been working with them since 2001.
They are a type of braces made of thin plastic, and they are more comfortable, more discreet, and of course, removable.