Dentaltown August 2019 - 94

7 Check the occlusal contacts using the "occlusal" tool.

Your occlusal plan will vary depending on the type of case you're working on. I've
found this tool to be helpful in preventing posterior open bites in correction of deep bites,
and a key tool when planning open bite correction with clear aligners.

your modifications, then
8 Make
submit the case back to the technicians.

The key to expediting this final process is to use the 3D tools as part of the software.
These tools allow you to add or remove attachments, extrude or intrude teeth, rotate and
torque teeth, program IPR or spacing, expand or contract arches, and add or remove precision
or button cuts. You can also modify your case by typing in notes to your technician and
providing those details. This feature becomes less useful as you get better at the 3D tools,
but as a beginner, typing in instructions is often the first way to communicate those changes.
If you decide to communicate with your technician, be specific in what you want.
Saying things such as "expand the posterior teeth" is not very specific and you may get too
much or not enough of what you want. Communicating that you want "2mm of buccal
movement on the lower right posterior teeth" will essentially guarantee you will get this
accomplished in your case.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

In summary, here are the eight steps to evaluating your clear aligner cases successfully:
Check the photos and make sure they correlate to the digital image.
Check the final occlusion, including the arch forms, overjet, overbite and midlines.
Check the comments tab.
Check the treatment card and the tooth movement assessment tool.
Watch the animation with the staging tab open.
Check the Bolton analysis for restorative needs or potential IPR.
Check occlusal contacts and make sure they're synchronized with your treatment plan.
Make your modifications using the 3D tools and communicate specific details to the
technician. Then submit your changes.

The who, when and where of evaluations
The next area that needs to be systematized is when and where you'll take the time
needed to evaluate and modify your cases.
Let's start with the possible option to delegate a part of this process. While I've been
talking about the steps you need to take to evaluate a ClinCheck in a systematic way, this
system that I have presented here is something that can be easily delegated to a coordinator
or other clinical team member. A checklist can be developed from this list as a guideline
to your clinical assistant, so in situations where you've trained an employee to do the
initial modifications for your cases, you can be sure they're not missing any key steps to a
successful outcome for your case.
I always recommend that the doctor ultimately be the one who hits "approve" on their
own cases. However, training team members to handle some of the initial modifications
of your cases can be effective and minimize your computer time.
As your practice continues to grow with clear aligners, you will find that you may
exchange some of your "doctor chair time" to "doctor computer time." Scheduling time
to do your cases is important and a system needs to be put into place.
* If you're in a startup phase with your clear aligner practice, carving out time can

AUGUST 2019 // dentaltown.com

http://www.dentaltown.com

Dentaltown August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown August 2019