The Straumann Group and Dental Monitoring (DM) have signed an agreement that provides Straumann with global distribution rights to DM’s technology in return for an injection of capital and a minor stake in DM.
Straumann will integrate DM’s technology into its orthodontic and digital solutions. The companies also will collaborate on further applications for artificial intelligence in dentistry. DM will continue to support and sell to orthodontic customers through its own network.
According to DM, it is the first company to enable orthodontists and dentists to remotely monitor treatment progress in their patients. With the introduction of virtual checkups to supplement chairside appointments, DM says, this significantly improves patient care.
After downloading the DM application to their phone, patients use the proprietary DM self-scanning process, usually weekly from their own home. DM’s proprietary artificial intelligence technology extracts information from the collected data and combines it with the digital impression data acquired when treatment began.
The software uses highly accurate clinical measurement tools and photo-simulations that record actual tooth movement over the course of treatment and monitors any relapse during the post-treatment retention phase, DM reports.
The system communicates with the orthodontist whenever required, allowing for timely intervention and adjustments that make treatment more efficient, DM says. The DM web-based dashboard allows the orthodontist to communicate with the patient to support compliance and motivation as well.
DM’s technology can detect more than 170 different clinical situations from images taken by patients using their smartphones. These results are constantly clinically validated by DM’s panel of orthodontists prior to being communicated back to the treating orthodontist or dentist, DM says, with nearly 2 million clinical records validated so far.
DM’s artificial intelligence technology will support Straumann’s orthodontic and intraoral scanning businesses and could be extended to applications in implant and preventive dentistry. A significant part of Straumann’s investment will be used to fund these developments.
“Enabling dentists to offer patients a reliable, easy to use mobile application for checking their teeth and treatment progress will change dentistry,” said Marco Gadola, CEO of the Straumann Group.
“Our investment in DM provides us with a proven orthodontics tracking system, which is commercially available in addition to securing a partner with the expertise to develop further artificial intelligence solutions in our field,” Gadola said.
“Straumann is an ideal partner for many reasons. They are a truly global company and are investing significantly in digital dentistry as a core business,” said Philippe Salah, CEO of Dental Monitoring.
“They are renowned for clinical excellence and brand leadership and share our passion for pioneering innovation and entrepreneurism. With their scientific heritage and strength in digital, they are our partner of choice for developing and establishing remote monitoring coupled with AI as the new standard of care,” said Salah.
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