SoftSmile’s VISION: AI-Driven Efficiency and Savings in Orthodontic Treatment Planning

Explore SoftSmile’s VISION software, where AI transforms orthodontic practices with efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), a transformative force across various industries, is imprinting an indelible mark on dentistry, where the integration of AI technologies has ushered in a new era of precision, efficiency, and personalised patient care.

An area where AI has showcased exceptional promise is in image analysis and diagnosis. With the routine adoption of digital dental radiographs, intraoral scans, and 3D imaging in orthodontic practices, a wealth of data is now available to practitioners. AI algorithms can swiftly and accurately process this vast dataset, enabling orthodontists to identify dental anomalies, malocclusions, and structural issues with unprecedented efficiency. With such predictive powers at its disposal, could AI be harnessed to help dentists elevate their aligner treatment planning process?

SoftSmile’s VISION Wins AI Excellence Award

In this context, our interview with Khamzat Asabaev, the CEO of SoftSmile, assumes timely significance. The New-York based tech startup has been leveraging AI to disrupt the global aligners market. The conversation with Mr. Asabaev focuses on SoftSmile’s award-winning AI-driven software, VISION, currently reshaping the landscape of orthodontic treatment planning, and what it means for dental professionals navigating the complexities of the digital era.

Disrupt and Democratise

SoftSmile’s inception is rooted in the pioneering aspirations of Dr. Islam, who sought to increase accessibility to orthodontic treatment.

“Dr. Islam pioneered the use of 3D printing technology to create clear aligners at a significantly lower cost to patients. This led to a dramatic expansion of his practice,” Asabaev explains.

Dr. Islam also received help from Damian, an outstanding software engineer who had just finished his PhD in the United Kingdom and returned back to his hometown in Chechnya. The collaboration solidified the company’s commitment to seamless aligner production, which led to the founding of Softsmile in 2019. 

SoftSmile set out with a clear mission – to disrupt the global aligners market and democratise orthodontic treatment. At the heart of this mission is the revolutionary AI-driven software, VISION, designed to simplify the aligner treatment process for doctors within a unified platform.

SoftSmile’s VISION Web Portal can be described as a comprehensive system for managing clear aligner cases. The portal provides a seamless experience for doctors and technicians, offering end-to-end case management, role-based permissions, workflow control, real-time progress tracking, and a user-friendly interface.

“The role of automation in the VISION Web Portal has significantly improved the quality of patient care and treatment outcomes,” Asabaev adds.

“By automating workflows and enhancing collaboration among technicians and doctors, the portal ensures step-by-step guidance and notifies users when one phase is completed and ready for the next. This not only saves time but also allows doctors to reinvest in quality time with patients, ultimately improving treatment outcomes.”

In addition, the doctor-facing application of SoftSmile’s VISION Web Portal allows dentists to review, modify, and approve treatment plans, providing added convenience and control.

“The portal automates workflows and increases collaboration among technicians and doctors with step-by-step guidance, notifying users when one phase is completed and is ready for the next,” says the company CEO.

“This automation reduces time spent on treatment planning so doctors can reinvest in quality time with patients, enhancing care and improving treatment outcomes.”

In short, VISION significantly reduces the overall cost for both practitioners and patients, ultimately democratising access to clear aligner treatment. This enhanced cost-effectiveness is the result of streamlined procedures, diminished overhead expenses, and the optimisation of resource allocation.

Engineered for Optimal Treatment Planning Efficiency and Savings

The software automates numerous manual tasks inherent in treatment planning. This not only minimises the likelihood of errors but also leads to time savings, contributing to an elevated standard in the quality of treatment plans.

The pricing model for the VISION Web Portal is pay-per-case, which Asabaev reiterates, helps reduce operating costs for doctors. Could you explain how this pricing model benefits orthodontists?

“This model eliminates hidden and monthly fees, providing an affordable solution that allows doctors to pay only for what they need,” he adds.

SoftSmile’s VISION Treatment Planning Software Integrates CBCT Imaging

“Beyond cost savings, the all-in-one planning software empowers orthodontists to streamline their operations by removing the middle company from the aligner manufacturing process, resulting in increased profit margins.”

Whether orthodontic professionals lean towards in-house printing or opt for their chosen manufacturer, VISION empowers them to reduce expenses and serve more patients within a shorter timeframe, thereby positively influencing their financial outcomes.

Unlike competitors, SoftSmile does not charge doctors a lab fee for a clear aligner appointment; they only pay per exported case. For instance, a practitioner can develop a treatment plan, iterate on it as needed, and incur expenses only upon exporting the plan for aligner production. Consequently, practitioners can curtail their costs significantly, often to a fraction of conventional expenditures with other clear aligner providers, positioning the VISION Web Portal as a financially advantageous option for orthodontic professionals.

Ready for Next-Level Orthodontic Tools?

The amalgamation of AI and machine learning has given rise to sophisticated predictive modelling tools. These tools, fuelled by the analysis of extensive historical orthodontic cases, empower orthodontists to generate insightful treatment outcome predictions based on individual patient characteristics. This invaluable information not only aids in crafting more informed and personalised treatment plans but also provides patients with a glimpse into their orthodontic journey.

Likewise, the VISION software’s AI is based on neural networks which were trained to identify and segment various structures using a large data set of CBCT scans. During the training process, the network learned to identify and segment various structures in the example scans. 

Over time, it was able to perform these tasks accurately and efficiently, even on new, unseen data. The neural networks improve efficiency, decreasing the time it takes to process data and its learning capabilities boost performance, reducing the need for manual input and adjustments. Its ability to identify complex patterns ensures precise segmentation and analysis.

Upgrades to SoftSmile’s Vision Software to Enhance Digital Treatment Planning

“Despite the role of AI in the software, it is important to call out that VISION is designed to aid doctors, not replace them” Asabaev assures. “The doctor always has the final say and can override any suggestions made by VISION – doctors are always in control and always make the final call.”

As it stands, Softsmile is one of only a handful of companies with the vision and expertise to take the work of forward-thinking orthodontists to the next level with AI-automated Treatment Planning tools, and even beyond.

“Although the brand initially began as a treatment planning company, SoftSmile has evolved to become a comprehensive platform,” Asabaev continues. “SoftSmile’s next steps encompass design and manufacturing, with a vision to cover all three major pillars of clear aligner treatment. 

“Offering VISION is the first piece of the puzzle in building SoftSmile to become a one-stop-shop for orthodontists to complete every stage of a case under one roof.”