Following the launch of the Invisalign Palatal Expander System in the UK and Ireland, we find out how this product could ‘revolutionise’ interceptive orthodontics.
At a black-tie event in the heart of London, Align Technology launched one of its newest innovations in the UK and Ireland: the Invisalign Palatal Expander System. This clinically effective system uses a series of 3D-printed devices to gradually widen the upper arch in children aged six to 11. Designed to be both removable and comfortable, the child-friendly approach to expansion avoids the challenges of traditional palate expander appliances, including fewer appointments.
On launching the Invisalign Palatal Expander in the UK and Ireland, Evren Koksal, Align general manager, United Kingdom & Ireland, said it felt ‘exciting’. ‘This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing orthodontic care and providing orthodontists with innovative solutions for their younger patients,’ he said.
‘With increasing demand for orthodontic treatment among children and teenagers, the launch of the Invisalign Palatal Expander System enables us to offer a more comprehensive early interceptive treatment solution alongside Invisalign First. This innovation ensures an exceptional patient experience that is both comfortable and supports oral hygiene.’
‘Revolutionary’ product
The event kicked off with a lively welcome session, in which attendees networked, engaged in photo opportunities and enjoyed tasty canapés. Following an introduction by Evren, specialist orthodontist Federico Migliori delivered a detailed and enlightening lecture on how the Invisalign Palatal Expander system works.
Showcasing his own clinical cases which used the system, he demonstrated the full treatment journey from beginning to end and the clinical results that can be achieved with the device. Federico said: ‘Being able to really introduce this new innovation is a privilege for me, and it’s something that I’m really happy to be doing.
‘In my opinion, for interceptive treatment we now have the chance to accomplish both the skeletal palatal expansion and the dentoalveolar aspects of the treatment while also ensuring it is a more comfortable treatment experience for patients. There’s huge potential, and the feedback from parents is just amazing.’
When asked what he hopes the attendees took away from his lecture, he said: ‘How we can change our patients lives in that early stage and also make future treatments so much easier for them. For me, that’s the best part of these kind of treatments.’
After Federico’s lecture, attendees took part in a Q&A with him and orthodontic specialist Monica Pais. The insightful panel interview included questions on the development of the product, its connection to the Itero Lumina (another one of Align’s latest products), and how it is used in conjunction with Invisalign First.
We chatted to some of the attendees to find out their thoughts on the product and what brought them to the event. Marissa Bell, specialist orthodontist, said: ‘The product looks fantastic compared to a traditional metal one that’s fixed in someone’s mouth. To have something that’s removable is so much easier for the patient, the young child, to clean their teeth, but it also takes up so much less room in their mouths.
‘It seems quite revolutionary, and it could possibly change my clinical practice and add increased value to it for me and my patients.’
She added that she was surprised by how straightforward the product is and found it valuable to learn how it works with Invisalign First, as someone who already uses it. ‘I saw a potential patient for the first time yesterday, so I now understand the workflow I need to implement in order to use Invisalign Palatal Expander first and then seamlessly move on to using Invisalign First.’
Benefits of early treatment
Similarly, specialist orthodontist Catherine McCanny said she attended the launch because she wanted to learn more about the concept of using the Invisalign Palatal Expander as she is keen to do more early and interceptive treatments. After listening to Federico’s lecture, she said: ‘I see the advantage of having this as the alternative to the more traditional palatal expander. It’s much more patient friendly and it’s quite exciting.
‘For me, as a parent, and looking at parents of young children, I think it really has highlighted the benefits of early treatment, and particularly early expansion to potentially prevent the need for extractions later on, and really making the second phase of treatment simpler.’
She added: ‘That’s where I feel it is really going to revolutionise orthodontics. I think the struggle we have in the UK is getting our public and our general dentists to recognise the need to be referring patients at age seven or eight to the orthodontist. If we can break those barriers, that’s something that’s going to be very exciting for the future.’
Evren added that he hopes the attendees of the launch event gained a comprehensive understanding of the Invisalign Palatal Expander System and how to submit cases for treating young patients.
He said: ‘Dr Migliori’s insightful overview and clinical case presentations were designed to provide clarity and practical knowledge. Additionally, we aimed for attendees to recognise the significance of the Itero Lumina and the latest techniques for achieving high accuracy and superior visualisations in palatal scans.
‘These advancements are crucial for enhancing patient outcomes and streamlining clinical workflows.’
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