The adoption ofAllisone in dental practices reflects practitioners' focus on constantly improving patient experience, awareness and prevention. Thanks to artificial intelligence, our platform brings clarity to patients and simplifies patient understanding. We went to meet Dr Margot, who shared her experience with us.
Thank you Doctor for taking the time to answer my questions.
To begin, could you please briefly introduce yourself, describe your background and explain why you've integrated Allisone into your practice?
I started my career in the private sector as a replacement two years ago in Strasbourg, before moving to Paris, where I worked as an associate in a private practice. After almost a year, I discovered Allisone. What immediately appealed to me was the clarity of the explanations provided byAllisone , as I find that being able to explain different treatments in pictures is often the most complicated part of daily practice. Allisone makes it easier to explain different treatments to patients, thanks to its highly illustrative diagrams. Today, I work in a dental center and I particularly appreciate how Allisone helps to clarify treatment plans not only for patients, but also for the whole team. I also like the option of sending reports to patients with their x-rays, which I use every time.
Could you tell us about a clinical case where the use ofAllisone has been particularly beneficial?
Yes, I remember a complex case involving a drug-addicted patient, which presented specific challenges particularly in terms of periodontics, with significant bone recession and generalized periodontitis. There were also cavities all over the collars. The challenge was to clean up the gums despite the fact that drug use had not completely stopped. The first thing to do was to explain that the bone would gradually go down if we didn't do what we needed to do, i.e. surface treatment. I was able to clearly explain the difference between scaling and planing, thanks to the treatments illustrated on Allisone, and the necessities of the interventions.
Having stabilized the periodontal situation, we turned to the dental problems, starting with the posterior teeth. First of all, we had to extract the residual root from 16, and check that the implant that had been placed next to it a few years ago could still be maintained. I was able to clearly explain to the patient the different stages of care, extraction, implant crown placement, etc., with illustrated care sheets.
This implant did not have a crown fitted?
In fact, it had been installed some four or five years ago. In the meantime, his addiction had got the better of him and he had not pursued treatment. The gum had since covered the implant, raising questions about its viability. We opted to keep it, with regular periodontal care to monitor any changes.
Could the color visualizations on the X-ray help the patient understand?
Yes, for example, visualization Allisone on the X-ray clearly shows the residual root stained orange. This staining indicates deep decay that has gradually destroyed the crown of the tooth, leaving only the root. This root is still trapped in the bone. Because of its decayed state and inability to support a crown, even after root canal treatment, it must be removed. On the X-ray, a yellow segment is visible in the residual root, a remnant of the root canal material, gutta-percha. The aim is therefore to extract this root and wait for sufficient bone healing before considering implant placement.
Then, as we progress towards the front teeth, we see red areas indicating deep caries affecting the majority of the roots. In this case, the standard procedure is to devitalize the tooth. As shown on Allisone, the nerve inside the tooth is removed with a file, cleaned, disinfected and closed. To do this, we use crowns, starting by inserting an inlay-core into the root, onto which the crown is then cemented. This treatment was applied to almost all the anterior teeth, with the exception of tooth 11, which remained healthy thanks to a previous root canal and crown. For aesthetic reasons, tooth 21 was also considered for crowning, or a veneer to harmonize the appearance of the front teeth, but obviously at the very end of the treatment plan. The priority remained the management of cavities through multiple root canals and crowns.
In this case, almost all the teeth had to be devitalised?
In fact, almost all the teeth needed to be devitalised. Another problem was the high mobility of the teeth in the mandible, raising questions about the feasibility of fitting crowns. After consultation with the periodontist, it was decided that it would be preferable to extract the two incisors, teeth 31 and 41, due to their excessive mobility. These teeth would probably not withstand the pressure of crowns. Several options were considered, including a bone graft followed by an implant, or an anterior bridge. The final choice would depend on several factors, including the patient's wishes, the quality of bone healing, and the cessation of drug use. We planned to treat them towards the end, once the periodontal situation had stabilized.
Teeth 31 and 41 were very mobile due to bone recession from use, weren't they?
That's right. There was also a significant accumulation of tartar that extended right down to the bone. The bacteria in the tartar were causing bone recession. In addition, initial blood test results indicated a high level of glycated hemoglobin, which also contributed to the observed bone recessions. This represents a complex clinical challenge, since good bone and gingival healing would be ideal for considering either bone reconstruction or implant placement in the event of excessive mobility. These issues are essential and cannot be fully assessed with a simple radiograph.
In this case, the situation was particularly complex in the mandible, mainly in the anterior region. Most of the treatment consisted of root canals followed by crowns or inlays, depending on the possibilities. What we don't immediately perceive is the three-dimensional dimension, which reveals that the small caries visible at the collar level are not superficial, but rather deep carious lesions.
Did you perform an additional 3D X-ray for this case?
Yes, this was essential to assess the viability of the existing implant and to plan endodontic treatment. The use ofAllisone was particularly beneficial in this context, as it enabled me to document various treatment options in the platform notes. This facilitated discussions with my colleagues and enriched our treatment planning. By sending the radiograph to the patient, accompanied by diagrams and detailed explanations, we were able to clarify the treatment steps visually, making the information more accessible and understandable for him.
When you presented the X-ray to the patient, did you perceive any change thanks to the use ofAllisone, particularly in the patient's ability to precisely identify the problems in his mouth and the actions to be taken?
Absolutely. The patient was initially very pessimistic, believing it necessary to extract most of his visibly decayed teeth and then consider removable prostheses or implants. The use ofAllisone gave him a clearer, more detailed view of his oral condition, enabling him to understand which teeth could be retained, what treatments were possible, and what modifications were necessary. This new understanding clearly motivated him. For a time, he was extremely committed, coming to the practice up to twice a week. Unfortunately, the treatment was not completed. The patient's sinuses were completely blocked, and he had difficulty breathing, which made the long sessions particularly uncomfortable. He finally decided to stop treatment. Although we completed most of the treatment plan, including the anterior maxillary root canals, it was still a little disappointing. However, I remain convinced that the whole experience was motivating for him.
It was also a complex case on a human level, wasn't it?
Indeed, the human dimension made the situation particularly complex, mainly because of the patient's addiction problems. These elements do not facilitate treatment management and have a strong influence on the patient's motivation and treatment options. As far as Allisone is concerned, its use was ideal for this case: the platform clarified the various aspects, improving our ability to effectively plan and communicate the stages of care. We've been able to clearly define the order of interventions, as you can quickly get a bit lost when multiple treatments are required. It helps us to explain in a logical and sequential way why certain pre-treatments are necessary before moving on to more aesthetic aspects, why we start treatment at the back to get good wedges and then progress to the front, for example, which leads to better understanding and cooperation from the patient.
Were there any aspects of his oral health of which the patient was unaware before you used Allisone to show him?
Indeed, he was not fully aware of the bony situation at the front of his mouth. When he arrived, his incisors were stabilized by a significant accumulation of tartar. When I showed him the x-ray and explained the difference between the gum line and the bone line, he was very surprised. He thought his teeth were firmly anchored, not realizing that they were actually held in place by tartar and not healthy bone. This realization came as a shock to him, but also motivated him to undertake the necessary treatment, aware that without intervention, the problem would spread to the back teeth. As for the other problems, although most of the cavities were visible and therefore expected, he was unaware of the existence of a residual root. Overall, his understanding of hidden problems improved by clearly seeing conditions that were not immediately obvious on Allisone.
Was the large lesion under tooth 42 painful?
No, he didn't really feel any pain, probably because the nerve was necrotic and he couldn't feel anything. Although he had several small lesions, none were particularly symptomatic, nor were his numerous cavities. This probably explains why he waited so long before consulting a dentist.
Can you explain how the illustrated care sheets on Allisone have facilitated communication of the treatment plan?
Absolutely. The illustrations are very useful in clarifying the treatment plan, making the explanations clearer and more accessible to patients. Allisone has been very useful during diagnosis too, as it allows each element visible on the X-ray to be presented sequentially. This is particularly useful for clearly showing cavities, for example, which are marked in red. Using different colors to identify problems helps patients to visualize and understand their specific dental situation, and what can be preserved or treated.
I assume you present information gradually with Allisone to avoid overwhelming the patient?
Yes, that's right. Depending on the case, I may start by addressing the periodontium or caries, depending on the patient's initial concerns. It often depends on the reason for the consultation. I never present all the information at once, especially in complex cases. However, when I send the full report by e-mail via Allisone, I include all the details so that patients can consult them at their own pace. This allows them to review the information at their leisure and clarify any doubts or concerns they may have.
What are patients' reactions when they receive their reports?
Reaction varies from patient to patient. Those who visit regularly but change dentists frequently are often pleasantly surprised to receive a full report, including the X-ray. For others who are less accustomed to the dentist, as it's their image, they consider it a due and find it normal. Some people also know that it's not automatic, and explicitly ask if they can have their X-ray provided.
Finally, I'd be curious to hear your views on the use of technology in dentistry. What is your vision of the future of artificial intelligence and its integration into practice?
Personally, I have a very positive view of technology in the dental field. Take digital cameras, for example: they're always tools that enrich our day-to-day work, that add something extra to our practice. That's what motivated me to adopt Allisone. However, it's important to keep a critical eye and not rely solely on technology, because mistakes can happen. But overall, using it to complement our skills is really interesting. In dentistry, technology is going to be more and more present, I think, and I think that's a good thing.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
No, not especially. I'd like to point out that I use Allisone systematically during every panoramic to explain diagnoses and treatment plans to my patients. It makes them feel more involved, even if they have no particular problem. They feel involved and better informed thanks to the explanations provided. Of course, explanations can be given without Allisone, but illustrating procedures reinforces patients' attention and clarifies what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what they can expect. This significantly changes their perception and understanding of the proposed treatment.
Do you have the impression that patients are more inclined to follow the treatment plans proposed with the use ofAllisone ?
Absolutely, I think they better understand the proposed interventions and their implications, which encourages them to follow the recommendations more faithfully.
