Software provides Invisalign® case assessment tools.November 1, 2006 -
Designed to facilitate Invisalign® case selection, submission, and review processes, ClinAdvisor(TM) combines goal-based treatment planning with case assessment tools. It analyzes and matches patient's initial dentition information with list of possible treatment goals to provide doctor with understanding of case complexity and predictability of treatment. Software also helps doctors identify skills necessary for treating specific cases.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Align Technology, Inc.
881 Martin Ave.
Santa Clara, CA, 95050
USA
Align Technology Launches ClinAdvisor(TM) to Simplify Case Assessment and Increase Treatment Predictability for Invisalign® Doctors
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 17 -- Today Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN), the inventor of the Invisalign® system, a proprietary method of straightening teeth without wires or brackets, announced a phased rollout of ClinAdvisor(TM), a new suite of software tools designed to make Invisalign case selection, submission and review processes more efficient for doctors. ClinAdvisor combines goal-based treatment planning with case assessment tools to give new and experienced doctors the clinical confidence they need to treat more patients with the Invisalign system.
The ClinAdvisor suite of tools helps Invisalign doctors select treatment goals and options that match their comfort level with the Invisalign system. The ClinAdvisor Assessment tool provides a detailed assessment of a patient's initial dentition and matches this information with a list of possible treatment goals to provide the doctor with an understanding of the case complexity and predictability of treatment for each goal.
"The expertise we've gained from almost 500,000 cases is helping us create a baseline of clinical knowledge that informs our products and helps make treatment more efficient and predictable for our customers," said Thomas M. Prescott, president and CEO of Align. "This is just the first in a series of innovative products and tools Align is developing to enhance the customer experience and treatment outcomes with Invisalign."
ClinAdvisor simplifies case selection by helping doctors identify the skills necessary for a specific case. A complexity rating system categorizes treatment plans as "Easy," "Moderate" or "Advanced" and lists expected treatment characteristics and potentially challenging movements for each option. This process helps increase the predictability of treatment outcomes by minimizing unexpected challenges during treatment. ClinAdvisor lets doctors choose to treat cases in their comfort zone, but also provides a graduated pathway to more difficult cases as advanced skills are mastered.
ClinAdvisor also streamlines case submission by providing doctors with goal-specific treatment forms. Doctors have the option of choosing from four separate treatment goals for more efficient treatment planning:
o Pre-Restorative: helps prepare teeth for restorative procedures
o Esthetic: aligns the upper and lower anterior teeth
o Anterior Function Improvement: improves the canine relationship in
addition to esthetic alignment
o Optimal Setup: addresses all aspects of malocclusion
Patients benefit from the case knowledge inherent in the new software. ClinAdvisor's Quick Patient Assessment provides doctors and practice staff with a chair-side tool to help illustrate potential treatment progression to prospective patients. The patients can view sample ClinCheck® files that mirror their own dentition and treatment goals. This allows prospective patients to see how their treatment is likely to progress before committing to treatment and taking dental records.
ClinAdvisor is being launched in North America through a phased rollout program with full commercial availability planned for Q1 of next year. A new version of Align's ClinCheck software is being released simultaneously to support the new features in ClinAdvisor.
About Align Technology, Inc.
Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and older teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998.
To learn more about Invisalign or to find a certified Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com or call 1-800-INVISIBLE.
Source: Align Technology, Inc.
Web site: http://www.invisalign.com/
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