The Importance Of Case Assessment And Treatment Planning With Invisalign
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” as Benjamin Franklin so rightly said, and this applies particularly to the field of dentistry. In this article, we highlight the essential role of a thorough case assessment and the creation of an effective treatment plan, drawing on the comprehensive guide developed by the Aligner Dental Academy team.
Many adult patients seen in consultation present a multitude of underlying issues that must be identified and addressed before commencing any aesthetic treatment.
Thus, case assessment constitutes an indispensable initial step in the Invisalign treatment process. It is therefore crucial to carry out a comprehensive analysis to ensure that the treatment aligns with the patient’s objectives.
To facilitate this process, the Aligner Dental Academy has introduced a reproducible method called the SAFE assessment, designed by Dr Raman Aulakh. This guide divides case assessment into four essential areas: Aesthetics, Function, Biology, and Structure.
The assessment begins with an AESTHETIC analysis during the extra-oral examination, including factors such as skeletal, facial, and dental patterns, the smile line, the presence of a lip catch, as well as the buccal corridors.
It continues with the intra-oral examination, paying particular attention to orthodontic FUNCTION, assessing molar and canine relationships, spacing or crowding, alongside a complete orthodontic analysis.
Next, the patient’s BIOLOGY is evaluated, taking into account the level of oral hygiene and the condition of the soft tissues.
Finally, STRUCTURE is analysed, notably the patient’s restorative status.
Once the case assessment is complete, the Aligner Dental Academy’s treatment objectives guide helps determine whether to accept, improve, or correct the evaluated elements.
Invisalign also offers tools to verify whether the proposed treatment is in line with the established objectives.
The Invisalign GO product integrates a case assessment feature directly into the prescription process. Once completed, this function highlights in orange the areas falling outside the product’s predictable limits, whilst the compliant areas appear in green. This tool helps practitioners ensure that the treatment plan remains within achievable limits.
For the Invisalign Comprehensive product, a Tooth Movement Guide is accessible via the Invisalign Drs site, allowing for a more precise evaluation of the complexity of the movements required to achieve the treatment objectives.
Case Complexity Table (SAFE Assessment)
This table is structured around various orthodontic movements for which the Aligner Dental Academy has developed numerous resources. These allow practitioners to better understand the underlying biomechanics and their applicability in their clinical cases.
In summary, whether you are beginning your journey with Invisalign or are already experienced, it is paramount to prioritise a thorough case assessment from the outset. As Yogi Berra rightly stated: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” Defining treatment objectives with the patient right from the start is essential and underscores the importance of rigorous initial planning.
At the Aligner Dental Academy, we offer comprehensive support at every stage:
- Clinical Support Forum: Members have access to a forum with answers provided within 24 to 48 hours by our team of orthodontists and dentists specialising in Invisalign.
- One-to-One Consultations: We offer individual consultations with clinical mentors.
- Treatment Planning Service: A dedicated service to help adjust ClinChecks according to your objectives.
Furthermore, all the case assessment and treatment objective forms mentioned in this article are available to download for Aligner Dental Academy members, alongside a wide range of resources to further your knowledge of aligners.
