Asiga and iTero Expand Clinical Applications

By Phil Fitzgibbon, Managing Director of NSK Oceania

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.”

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.

“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.”

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