AI aligner monitoring: smarter tracking for clear aligner treatment

What is AI aligner monitoring?

AI aligner monitoring uses image analysis to review photos of a patient's teeth taken during treatment, and flags signs that may need the dentist's attention, such as an aligner not seating fully or a tooth falling behind the plan. It helps the clinician decide where to look; it does not make clinical decisions.

The foundation: consistent data

AI is only as good as the photos it sees. The Alignova patient app asks for the same three poses at every aligner change, and records daily wear. That gives each case a comparable series from start to finish, the kind of data that digital orthodontic monitoring needs.

What we are building

• AI-assisted review of progress photos to highlight possible fit and tracking issues.
• Prioritised review queues, so dentists see the cases that need them first.
• Linking photo findings to the approved 3D treatment plan and wear history.

Available today

• Patient wear tracker.
• Structured progress photos at every aligner change.
• Dentist photo review in the Alignova platform.
• 3D treatment planning and online approval in the doctor portal.

How AI tracks tooth movement

Tracking compares what the teeth look like now with where the plan says they should be at that stage. Image models detect teeth and aligner edges in standardised photos, and changes across the series indicate whether movement is on track. Accuracy depends on photo quality and consistency, which is why the capture process matters as much as the model.

Clinical responsibility

AI tools support, but never replace, the treating dentist or orthodontist. Diagnosis, treatment decisions and patient care remain with the licensed clinician.