DIGITAL technology is helping to transform the way patients at a leading Wakefield orthodontists receive treatment.

After being fitted with their fixed or invisible braces, new patients at St Michael’s Orthodontics Ltd are equipped with dental monitoring technology to enable them to take a weekly scan of their teeth at home and send it into their orthodontist.

Consisting of an app for patients’ smart phones plus a set of dental monitoring retractors, the technology is enabling staff at St Michael’s Orthodontics to keep a closer eye on patients’ progress without patients having to visit the surgery so often.

Dr Catherine McCanny, lead orthodontist at St Michael’s, said the dental monitoring had many benefits for patients.

“It means we are able to monitor their teeth more. If things are going off track or not as we would expect, we can pick it up earlier. Likewise, if there are issues with the fit or attachments have come off,” she explained.

“Some patients need their aligners changing weekly while for others it may be longer depending on how quickly their teeth move and how diligent they’ve been in wearing their appliances. Through digital monitoring we are able to gauge the optimal time for this.”

Catherine added: “Patients often travel some distance to see us and appointments at the surgery mean taking time off work or out of education. With digital dental monitoring we are able to cut down on the physical visits to us while giving greater patient care through weekly feedback.”

Having the progress of their treatment monitored every week is also proving an incentive for some patients to be more focused in wearing their braces.

“It’s almost like they feel they are being watched so are more disciplined. Complying with their treatment plan will ensure a better and quicker outcome which is ultimately what everyone wants,” said Catherine.