Like other Kiwi businesses, we could have done without the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Upon reflection, though, some good has come from the crisis. For example, we’ve discovered ways to work smarter, and we are now far better prepared to face any future ‘curve balls’ than we were pre-COVID. The crisis also highlighted the value of the Invisalign© system.
What is Invisalign©?
Invisalign© consists of several clear overlay templates, known as aligners, that are the product of computer simulation. Invisalign© is a convenient choice for both teenagers and adults because the removable aligners are easy to floss and clean during treatment.
There are other benefits, too:
- The aligners are almost invisible.
- Invisalign© gradually moves teeth with precision and predictability.
- There are no wires or brackets, so fewer visits to our clinic are required should something break.
- As there are no wires, flossing is easy.
Check out this video for more information.
Invisalign© during lockdown
When New Zealand was at alert-level 4, we worked remotely via Zoom and What’s App meetings and carried out virtual consultations.
It was frustrating not being able to treat our patients in person. However, with Invisalign©, patients loved that their treatment continued to progress on schedule because they either had enough aligners or were able to receive new ones in the mail. As we maintained communication with a Dental Monitoring app, our patients also felt like they were still being ‘seen.’ During emergencies, we viewed scans and images and arranged to either post more elastics and aligners or prioritise patients once we were able to return to the clinic.
Virtual dental monitoring
Now that the country is back to some kind of normality (long may it continue), we are continuing to offer dental monitoring. Here’s how it all works:
- Your smartphone app prompts you to take photos of your teeth and send them to us.
- By viewing the images, we monitor the movement of your teeth and line them up with your treatment plan.
- If your treatment is on track, you don’t need to visit us.
For you, this means you don’t need to take as much time off work or school to come to our clinic for treatment.
There’s no substitute for personal visits
Don’t get us wrong; if you can, please come and see us in person. After all, we are a people business. And, there will be times, like when you need repairs, when a visit is absolutely necessary.
There’s no substitute for one-on-one care. However, it’s reassuring to know that products like Invisalign© and our ability to work remotely allow us to continue treating our patients during a crisis.
Did you enjoy this post? If so, please share.
