Aspen Dental Invests in Digital Scanning Technology to Bring Straighter Teeth, Better Oral Health to Patients Nationwide

Business Wire 6-Sep-2018 2:41 PM

Digital Scanning + Invisalign Initiative Launched During Annual Leadership Retreat

A major initiative to bring digital scanning technology and Invisalign clear aligners to all Aspen Dental-branded practices was launched last month in Chicago during Aspen Dental's annual Leadership Retreat, where more than 300 dentists were trained. This is just the first of many trainings across the country, with the goal of enabling all Aspen Dental locations with Invisalign capabilities by August 2019.

The initiative is being led by Dr. David Galler, DMD, who recently joined Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) as Senior Vice President, Orthodontic Services. Dr. Galler is in the top one percent of Invisalign providers in North America having personally treated over 2,000 cases in the last 10 years.

"When the teeth are imperfectly positioned, it can not only cause discomfort, but also lead to excessive wear of teeth and joint pain," said Dr. Galler. "There's a huge opportunity for dentists at Aspen Dental to integrate Invisalign into their practice and bring this service to their patients, regardless of whether their focus is cosmetics, malocclusion or periodontal disease."

Added Dr. Galler, "It's not about creating a perfect Hollywood smile, but rather helping patients get back to good oral health by straightening the teeth and fixing some of the underlying issues that have led to oral health issues in the first place."

20 Years of Breaking Down Barriers

By implementing this technology, Aspen Dental practices are reinforcing a 20-year commitment to breaking down barriers and addressing patients' oral health needs. The Aspen Dental brand was founded in 1998 and now stands at nearly 700 locations across 38 states.

In late July, ADMI announced its partnership with Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN) to bring the iTero Element^® intraoral scanner to all Aspen Dental-branded practices. After a quick digital scan with the iTero Element scanner, patients can see a simulation of how their new smile may look even before they commit to Invisalign treatment. Unlike traditional dental impressions, which can take weeks to process, Align's end-to-end digital workflow leveraging the iTero scanner transmits the patient's 3D dental model immediately, making it possible for patients to begin their treatment sooner.

Beyond Invisalign, the iTero scanner is also integral to tooth restorative procedures such as crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays and onlays.

About Aspen Dental Offices

Aspen Dental-branded practices are committed to breaking down barriers so that patients can get the care they need today. With more than 675 offices in 38 states, Aspen Dental practices provide a wide range of general dentistry and denture-related services and offer patient-friendly programs and services, including convenient locations, onsite labs and extended hours. Together, Aspen Dental practices cared for more than 1.7 million patients in 2017.

About Aspen Dental Management, Inc.

With an innovative model that takes care of non-clinical business and administrative services so that providers are free to focus on patient care, the team at ADMI is driven by one overarching purpose: To care for the people who care for the patients. ADMI makes it easier for clinicians to have the careers they've always dreamed of, delivering care to their patients with the support of a team of experienced business professionals who are committed to making their practices a success. Support provided by ADMI includes services and recommendations related to finding the right locations, leasing, acquiring equipment, accounting and marketing.

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