Chapter 5: The Problem with Dental Monitoring Technology

Why I Don't Use It: Confusion & Delays

Technology has changed almost every industry, including orthodontics. With the rise of dental monitoring systems, some orthodontists have embraced a model that reduces in-office visits, using AI and smartphone apps to track patient progress remotely.

On the surface, it sounds efficient—fewer checkups, less chair time, and supposedly more convenience for both the practice and the patient. However, this approach has serious downsides that ultimately hurt the patient experience, create confusion, and delay treatment.

In my practice, I’ve chosen to stay away from dental monitoring technology for one simple reason: Patients need in-person commitment to stay engaged in treatment. Orthodontics isn’t just about moving teeth—it’s about building trust, ensuring compliance, and keeping treatment on track. The best way to do that is through real, face-to-face interactions.

Why I Don’t Use It: Confusion & Delays

Many orthodontists who adopt dental monitoring technology believe they are making treatment easier. In reality, it often creates more problems than solutions.

Patients Don’t Always Follow Through

One of the biggest issues with remote monitoring is that it puts responsibility on the patient to send in scans, track their progress, and follow digital instructions.

Here’s what actually happens in many cases:

• Patients forget to submit scans or don’t do them correctly
• Compliance drops because there’s no direct accountability
• Small issues go unnoticed until they become big problems

When patients don’t come into the office regularly, they feel less urgency about their treatment—and that lack of urgency leads to longer treatment times, more mid-treatment issues, and frustration on both sides.

Treatment Gets Delayed More Often

Without regular in-office visits, orthodontists lose control over treatment timelines.

If a patient isn’t wearing their aligners properly, has a broken bracket, or is experiencing unexpected tooth movement, it may take weeks or even months to catch the problem through remote monitoring.

In contrast, when patients come in regularly, I can:

• Spot issues early and fix them before they cause delays
• Make immediate adjustments to keep treatment on track
• Ensure compliance and motivation by reinforcing their progress in person

Parents (and Patients) Get Frustrated

Many orthodontists assume that parents will appreciate the convenience of fewer visits, but in reality, many parents feel uneasy about a lack of in-person oversight.

What parents worry about:

• “How do I know my child’s teeth are actually moving correctly?”
• “What if something goes wrong and we don’t catch it in time?”
• “Why am I paying thousands of dollars for a treatment that isn’t being checked in person?”

I’ve had parents switch to my practice specifically because they felt neglected by an orthodontist who relied too much on remote monitoring. They didn’t feel like they were getting personalized attention, and they wanted an orthodontist who was fully involved in their child’s care.