Trade it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. The NSK initiative Equipment – more than technology.
By Phil Fitzgibbon, Managing Director of NSK Oceania
As dental professionals and industry partners, we dedicate ourselves to improving lives every day. That same commitment extends beyond the treatment room through the choices we make for our practices, our communities, and our environment. Together, we all have a role to play in reducing waste, conserving resources, and embracing smarter, more sustainable ways of working. At NSK, sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility. It is a commitment to the generations that follow us. Every piece of equipment that is repurposed or responsibly recycled helps reduce landfill waste, conserve valuable materials, and minimise environmental impact. That is why I am excited to launch our Trade it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. initiative. More than a trade-in program, it is an opportunity to rethink how we manage dental equipment at the end of its lifecycle.
By giving retired equipment a second life, we can reduce unnecessary waste while enabling clinics and practices to access the latest NSK technology through a more responsible approach to resource management and recycling. During my recent visit to Fiji, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how dental professionals are making a difference in their communities despite limited resources. It was inspiring to witness NSK equipment supporting local clinics, university training programs, and mobile dental services that bring essential oral healthcare to underserved communities. These experiences reinforced that our equipment is more than technology, it plays a role in educating future clinicians, supporting dedicated practitioners, and expanding access to quality care. It was a powerful reminder of the positive impact our industry can create when innovation is combined with purpose. Sustainability is not achieved through one large action. It is built through many small, conscious decisions that collectively create meaningful and lasting impact.
Through initiatives like this, we are not only investing in better technology but also helping build a more sustainable future for our industry. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Align Technology expands Invisalign® recycling program across Australia and New Zealand following pilot program
Align Technology has announced the rollout of its Invisalign® Aligner Recycling Program across Australia and New Zealand, making the initiative available to all Invisalign-trained providers in the region. The expanded program follows a pilot conducted with selected practices across Australia, designed to test logistics and patient engagement in real-world practice settings. Insights from the pilot have enabled Align Technology to refine and scale a solution that integrates seamlessly into everyday practice operations, while providing a practical way to collect and recycle used Invisalign aligners, Vivera retainers and associated packaging. Through the program, Invisalign trained providers can offer patients a simple in-practice recycling pathway using dedicated Invisalign recycling boxes, available for purchase via the Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS) webstore. Importantly, the program has been structured to support accessibility for practices, with flexible payment options allowing Invisalign trained providers to either purchase boxes by cash or by redeeming Invisalign Advantage Tier points.
Align Technology also contributes towards the overall program cost, helping reduce barriers to participation and encouraging broader adoption across its provider network. “Following a comprehensive pilot phase, our focus was to create a recycling solution that is not only environmentally responsible, but also practical for everyday clinical use,” said Moez Attia, VP and Managing Director ANZ & SEA, and Strategic Initiatives APAC “By incorporating feedback from Invisalign trained providers, we’ve developed a recycling program that supports both practice workflows and growing patient expectations around sustainability.” The recycling program enables the collection of used Invisalign® clear aligners, Vivera® retainers and eligible packaging materials through practices, offering patients a visible and convenient way to participate in recycling through their provider. This initiative forms part of Align Technology’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting more sustainable practices across the orthodontic ecosystem.
How 3D printing is transforming the digital workflow, giving dentists greater control and flexibility.
Today, practices are increasingly looking beyond individual devices and toward connected workflows that improve efficiency, accuracy and patient outcomes. While digital dentistry is often associated with advances in hardware and software, the real value lies in how connected technologies can improve day-to-day practice operations. The combination of iTero™, iTero Design Suite1 and printing systems such as ASIGA delivers an end-to-end digital workflow that simplifies the journey from patient scan to final appliance. This integration bridges the gap between digital treatment planning and clinical production, supporting a range of applications across restorative, therapeutic and appliance-based workflows.
The first step in any digital workflow is capturing a detailed representation of the patient’s oral anatomy. The iTero intraoral scanner enables clinicians to capture digital impressions that can be used throughout the treatment planning, design and manufacturing process. For clinicians, digital scanning eliminates many of the frustrations associated with traditional impression taking. There are no messy materials, fewer remakes and greater confidence that the information captured accurately, reflects the patient’s anatomy. For patients, the experience is designed to make the workflow more efficient, more comfortable and more modern, helping build trust and confidence from the very first appointment.
Once the scan is complete, iTero Design Suite creates a seamless pathway from scan to design, eliminating the need for physical models and reducing manual handling. The fully digital workflow helps improve efficiency, support precision and gives clinicians greater visibility and control throughout the process. The final step is production. By integrating with ASIGA’s advanced 3D printing technology, practices and laboratories can manufacture appliances with accuracy and consistency. For practices operating an in-house laboratory, this represents a significant shift in how treatment can be delivered. Rather than relying on external production
timelines, clinicians gain greater control over manufacturing and scheduling. Appliances can often be produced much faster, enabling shorter turnaround times and, in some cases, same-day delivery. This increased control not only improves workflow efficiency but also enhances the patient experience. Patients benefit from fewer appointments, reduced waiting times and a more responsive service model. Dr Jack Milgate, owner and lead Dentist at Barwon Heads Dental and Align external clinical speaker, says, “Bringing elements of chairside printing into the practice means we’re less reliant on external steps. For certain cases, that can make the process more direct, from scan through to production, and gives us greater control over timing.”
“Many of our patients travel significant distances, so there’s real value in being able to manage more of the workflow in-practice and, where appropriate, deliver an outcome on the same day. We use ASIGA technology to produce a range of appliances, from models and splints through to dentures and crowns.”
“It’s not about replacing existing methods but expanding what’s possible. In our practice, chairside printing using ASIGA gives us more ways to approach treatment planning and provide care that suits both the clinical situation and the needs of our patients.”
Expanding clinical applications
The integration of iTero Design Suite with ASIGA supports a range of in-house workflows, from model creation for thermoformed appliances such as mouthguards and bleaching trays, to occlusal splints, crowns, bridges and smile mock-ups. Digital models can be customised for printing, while integrated design and manufacturing workflows enable efficient production of splints and restorations. ASIGA’s new PrintPods™ technology further simplifies chairside manufacturing, offering a fast, clean and economical approach to producing patient-specific appliances and restorations.
Together, these capabilities help practices move seamlessly from scan to design and production within a single digital workflow. Justin Elsey, Founder and Managing Director, ASIGA, says, “We’re seeing increasing demand from practices looking to bring more manufacturing capabilities in-house. By combining digital scanning, design software and 3D printing into a connected workflow, clinicians can move more efficiently from patient data to production while maintaining flexibility across a wide range of applications.” The combination of iTero, iTero Design Suite and ASIGA demonstrates the power of an integrated ecosystem, one that helps clinicians to work more efficiently, deliver high-quality outcomes and provide a superior patient experience. In today’s digital practice, success is no longer just about scanning, designing or manufacturing independently. It’s about connecting every step into a seamlessworkflow.
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