The world has become data-driven – whether it’s monitoring web traffic with Google Analytics or comparing data between teachers to determine how best to drive students to meet the standards. And the world has also become dependent on the power of mobile technology, including apps. Leading orthodontists like Dr. Moles at The Village Orthodontist have embraced both and combined them to offer a new service to orthodontic patients called Dental Monitoring. Frederick County and Urbana, MD, area patients can now take part in their orthodontic treatment using an app that can be downloaded on a personal mobile device, like a phone or tablet.
What is Dental Monitoring?
Dental monitoring is the process of patients and orthodontists working together to monitor the progress of your orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign clear aligners. Teens and adults alike will love this new app addition to their phone or tablet. Once the app is installed and set up with Dr. Moles and his staff, it can go everywhere that you do connecting you to the team at The Village Orthodontist. By scanning your smile, you can see and communicate the progress of your tooth movement. Dr. Moles will receive the scans and process the data with the software. He can then make adjustments, if needed and also message you to move to your next aligners when the time is best. It’s like a virtual orthodontist appointment!
How Old is the Technology?
The Dental Monitoring app uses control vision technology, which has been in use for quite some time. Think about surgeries being guided by cameras, manufacturing technology, and the development of drones. Dental Monitoring got its start in 2013 and was the first web-based monitoring system developed for orthodontists. Dental Monitoring combined a highly experienced team of orthodontists and engineers to create this new standard of measured orthodontics by collecting and analyzing the data provided by your phone or tablet’s camera using advanced control vision technology. It’s the first self-monitoring service in dental care.
Why Monitor my Orthodontic Treatment?
The team at The Village Orthodontist want all of their patients to take an active role in their orthodontic treatment. Working together with their patients is the best way to advance the goal of creating your perfect, confident smile. Using Dental Monitoring, Dr. Moles can make sure that your teeth are reacting appropriately to your treatment and can make any changes necessary immediately. This can oftentimes speed up your treatment.
What are the Benefits of Dental Monitoring?
By using the Dental Monitoring app with Dr. Moles, each stage of your orthodontic treatment will be built around your mouth’s response to the braces or Invisalign treatment.
- Uses the latest technology to make certain that the movement of your teeth is perfectly controlled.
- Saves you time by allowing remote treatment follow-up instead of unnecessary appointments.
- Prevents situations that you may not expect from happening.
- Assists Dr. Moles in scheduling your appointment at the best time according to the real-world progress of your individual treatment.
- Dr. Moles will have the ability to check your teeth and compile data of any movement even during the retention phase after you finish your orthodontic treatment.
- Frederick county and Urbana area patients who have tried Dental Monitoring say that they feel less nervous about their treatment progress. This is likely because patients who take an active role in their treatment have more confidence and are more compliant as the work in cooperation with Dr. Moles and his staff.
Is Dental Monitoring Replacing My Orthodontist?
Dental Monitoring is only a tool that compiles data in numerical form about your orthodontic treatment progress. It cannot replace your orthodontist’s expertise. Dr. Moles will begin your treatment with an expert diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that will incorporate Dental Monitoring, if you choose. Then he will receive and analyze the data, making any adjustment if needed. You will still need to schedule appointments with Dr. Moles to evaluate your treatment in person, but you may need less appointments since some of them will be conducted virtually. Dental Monitoring cannot diagnose your orthodontic problems and should only be used under an orthodontist’s care.
