What is Smart STL and why should you care?

Smart STL: Transforming the Orthodontic Experience

Innovation in Orthodontics is changing rapidly with new technology claiming to make treatments easier and more effective. One such innovation is Smart STL, recently developed by DentalMonitoring which is set to transform how orthodontists work and improve both patient care and their experience as they progress through their treatment.

What is Smart STL?

It is a solution created by DM that offers a simple and efficient way to get an updated STL file of a patient's teeth position remotely from their DM scan.

This is done by combining three main files:

• Initial intraoral scan: Captures the patient’s original tooth structure.
• Current stage STL file: Shows planned tooth positions at a certain treatment point.
• Patient’s current DM scan: Taken by the patient at home using the DentalMonitoring app and ScanBoxPro.

DentalMonitoring’s AI merges these files to create an accurate, up-to-date Smart STL that shows the patient’s current tooth position.

Accuracy of Dental Remote Monitoring Tooth Tracking Technology in Orthodontics

Accuracy of Dental Monitoring 3D digital dental models using photograph and video mode

Better Patient Experience

Smart STL will benefit patients:

Increased Convenience and Time Savings: Smart STL eliminates unnecessary office visits for scans, reducing the time and expense associated with orthodontic treatment. Patients will be able to manage their treatment remotely, reducing disruption to their daily lives.

Improved Treatment Outcomes: The proactive nature of Smart STL-enabled treatment helps keep treatment on track, minimising setbacks and potentially leading to shorter treatment times and better overall results.

Enhanced Treatment Experience: By reducing the number of office visits and allowing patients to actively participate in their treatment, Smart STL creates a more positive and engaging experience. Imagine coming to pick up your next set of aligners and not even realising that they are midcourse correction or refinement aligners - all this has been done in the background so you don't need to waste time getting your refinement scan and waiting for them to arrive at the practice at a later date.

3 Main Uses Of Smart STL

Smart STL can be used for:

• Retainers: Ordering retainers without extra appointments.
• Refinements: Adjusting aligners when treatment is off-track without needing an in-office scan.
• Relapse Management: Creating aligners to address any tooth movement after treatment, maintaining results.

For Orthodontists:

For Orthodontists

● Increased Convenience and Time Savings: SmartSTL saves chair time by eliminating the need for in-office scans for refinements, retainers, and relapse cases. Orthodontists can manage more cases remotely, improving practice efficiency and profitability.

● Enhanced Treatment Efficiency: Smart STL enables proactive treatment management by allowing orthodontists to monitor progress remotely and address deviations early on. This can lead to shorter treatment times and better outcomes.

● Improved Patient Engagement and Satisfaction: By offering a more convenient and seamless treatment experience, Smart STL increases patient satisfaction and improves treatment adherence.

Combining Technology and Expertise

Smart STL supports, but does not replace, the expertise of orthodontists. The best outcomes come from a mix of professional insight and technology. Smart STL allows orthodontists to work smarter and provide high-quality, personalised care.

The Future of Smart STL

Smart STL is already integrated with aligner brands like Ormco , Spark, uLab Systems, and OrthoFx, with more likely to follow.

Orthodontic practices that adopt Smart STL will see smoother workflows, better treatment results, and more satisfied patients. This shift towards data-driven, patient-focused care will set practices apart in a competitive market.

Smart STL is a step towards a future where advanced technology and clinical expertise combine for the best patient outcomes and more efficient practices.

How do you see it impacting your future offering?