Speakers were invited to present on the efficacy and efficiency of the Invisalign system, especially in relation to treatment predictability, effectiveness, and stability.  They also addressed the numerous and varied clinical approaches related to Invisalign clear aligner treatment, inter-disciplinary approaches, and auxiliary techniques.  Over the two days, attendees learned how treatment predictability and efficiency have been enhanced by the latest innovations that form part of the Align Digital Platform, a combination of Align proprietary technologies and services - Invisalign treatment, iTero scanning systems and exocad CAD/CAM software - into one unique platform, allowing a seamless digital connection between orthodontists, their patients, and laboratories.

Invisalign Scientific Symposium keynote lectures were delivered by highly respected clinicians, including Prof. Juan Carlos Rivero Lesmes from Spain who presented the ‘Efficiency with biomechanics and Invisalign clear aligners’, whilst patients’ quality of life was the focus of the lecture by Dr. Meiya Gao from China, an early adopter of Invisalign treatment for her patients who has conducted studies to evaluate and compare oral health-related quality of life with clear aligners and other devices. She described her findings in a lecture entitled ‘A comparison of pain perception, anxiety, and impacts on oral health-related quality of life between patients receiving clear aligners and fixed appliances during the initial stage of orthodontic treatment’. Dr Gao commented: ‘Traditional orthodontic treatment can take about 2 years on average, so a patient’s quality of life during this period is a very noteworthy point. In traditional treatment, many people give up or stop it due to the decline in the quality of life, because of physical pain, unaesthetic wearing of wired brackets, social interactions, and impaired oral functions. Invisalign aligners offer a better option with a higher quality of life and that is the ultimate motivation for patients to choose clear aligner treatment.”

Align Faculty Member, Dr. Regina Blevins from the U.S. commented: “We know that younger patients can be successfully treated with Invisalign clear aligners and the benefits are not limited to aesthetic and clinical issues. My clinical observation when treating these patients with Invisalign clear aligners is that there is less gingivitis, less decalcification, less emergency appointments, they also seem more upbeat”.

Prof. Luca Levrini from Italy, whose main area of study is the treatment of younger patients, explored ‘arch development Invisalign First treatment in the mixed dentition, pre and post treatment predictability’. Prof Levrini explained that around 40% of Invisalign cases in his practice are either teens or children, and he has been treating them with the Invisalign First system for three years. He commented that “Slow arch development respects the body and biological process, which is why I am perfectly happy with the Invisalign First system to treat my growing patients. The fact that it is removable offers numerous benefits including satisfactory oral hygiene and flexibility. Working on growing patients at an early stage can prevent extractions, IPR, distalization of the teeth, and proclination in adult patients. In my experience, children are superbly compliant and cooperative and from a clinical perspective, it is so simple to integrate Invisalign First treatment into your practice.”

Dr. Tommaso Castroflorio from Italy, focused on aligner and orthodontic tooth movement predictability discussing whether alignment in Class II and open bite treatments can be predicted. In doing so, Dr Castroflorio familiarized the audience with specific features related to Invisalign G8 innovations.

Align Technology collaborated with the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry to bring a scientific poster presentation session which focused on the growing patient.  The winner was announced as Prof.Teresa Pinho, who took as her subject ‘Open bite treated with Invisalign clear aligners and mini screws’.

Dr. Michael Davidson, Align Technology Director of Clinical and Professional Education for EMEA, concluded that “From the outset, the event’s scientific team who put together the Invisalign Scientific Symposium programme endeavoured to showcase the best in global research and clinical content for the Invisalign system or digital orthodontics using the Invisalign system, which is both robust, and relevant to the orthodontic practitioner. The outcome has shown the clinical insights and expertise in digital orthodontics.”

For those unable to attend the live broadcast, but have pre-registered, it is possible to view a recording of the Scientific Symposium by visiting: https://www.yourbrillianceenhanced.com/invisalignscientificsymposium2021