Every aligner tray comes with the same quiet question: is my smile actually moving the way the plan says it should? For years, the answer usually had to wait until your next office visit, which could be weeks away. Today, some aligner treatment includes a digital check-in at every tray change, so you may not have to wonder for long.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we pair our clear aligner treatment with ProMonitoring, a remote monitoring system that has received FDA clearance. Dr. Laura Sharbash and our team use it to keep an eye on your progress at every aligner change. Knowing how it works can help you decide whether it fits your goals.
What Is the ProMonitoring System?
ProMonitoring is a remote clear aligner monitoring system that has received FDA clearance. It is an AI-driven platform that gives your dentist digital oversight of your treatment, so progress can be reviewed at every aligner change instead of only at scheduled office visits. Our post on ProMonitoring clear aligner technology covers more detail.
Clearance refers to the monitoring system itself, and the system works alongside the plan we build with you. ProMonitoring may reduce the need for in-office aligner checks, but it supports your care rather than replacing it.
How ProMonitoring Works During Treatment
Think of it as a second set of eyes that keeps watching between appointments.
Digital Oversight at Every Tray Change
Each time you move to a new aligner, ProMonitoring allows our team to review how your treatment is tracking. This frequent digital oversight may reduce how often you need in-office aligner checks, which can save time for you and for us. If you juggle work, family, and a busy social calendar, fewer trips to the office may be a welcome change.
Catching Issues Early
Because progress is monitored at every aligner change, we can spot potential problems early and address them before they grow. If a tray is not tracking as expected, our team can talk with you about next steps sooner. Early action may help prevent the need for refinements or extra rounds of aligners, and may lead to more predictable and efficient treatment.
Staying Engaged With Your Treatment
ProMonitoring also includes messaging and notification features designed to keep patients involved in their care. Quick reminders and check-ins can make it easier to stay on track, and you may find the process more convenient and personalized.
What the Research Says About Remote Monitoring
Remote monitoring of clear aligner treatment has been studied, and the findings are worth a look. According to a clinical evidence summary from UT Health San Antonio, remote dental monitoring has been shown to reduce the number of clinical appointments for aligner patients without hurting treatment quality or the patient experience. That finding may matter if office visits are hard to fit into your week.
The same summary notes the evidence on shorter treatment time is mixed. One 2023 randomized trial it reviewed found 1.5 fewer office visits over an average of 11.6 months, but treatment ran 1.9 months longer. That research did not name ProMonitoring specifically, so your results may vary. We share this because you deserve the full picture.
Questions to Ask Before Starting Aligners
A good consultation should leave you feeling informed, not rushed. These questions can help you see how monitoring would fit your own treatment.
- Check-ins: How will my progress be reviewed at each aligner change?
- Visits: Which appointments can happen digitally, and which need to be in the office?
- Alerts: What happens if something looks off between visits?
- Wear time: How many hours a day should I wear my aligners?
- Timeline: How long might my treatment take?
Your answers may also help you plan around the clear aligner treatment timeline in Newport Beach. Once you begin, our guide to caring for clear aligners is a handy next read. If you are still comparing options, you can read how clear aligners stack up against traditional braces.
Frequently Asked Questions About ProMonitoring
How often will I need to visit the office if I use ProMonitoring?
Visit frequency varies by case, but many patients on ProMonitoring see a significant reduction in the number of in-office aligner checks compared to traditional monitoring. Our team still schedules periodic in-person visits to confirm fit and progress, with the exact schedule set during your consultation based on your treatment plan.
What happens if the ProMonitoring app flags an issue with my aligners?
If the AI system detects something that needs attention, our team reviews the scan and reaches out to discuss next steps. Depending on the concern, this may mean an adjustment to your at-home routine or scheduling an in-office visit so we can take a closer look before continuing.
Can I still see my dentist in person if I use remote monitoring?
Yes. ProMonitoring supplements in-person care rather than replacing it. You can request or schedule an office visit at any point during treatment, and our team will still recommend periodic visits to confirm your progress in person alongside your remote scans.
How accurate is AI-powered remote monitoring compared to in-person checks?
The ProMonitoring system is FDA-cleared and captures dozens of oral observations per scan, giving our team detailed data to evaluate between visits. It is designed to work alongside, not instead of, professional review, and any finding that needs closer attention is confirmed with an in-person evaluation.
Does ProMonitoring work with any type of clear aligner treatment?
ProMonitoring is compatible with a wide range of clear aligner cases, though the right monitoring schedule depends on the complexity of your treatment plan. Dr. Sharbash determines during your consultation whether remote monitoring can serve as your primary check-in method for your specific case.
Schedule a Clear Aligner Consultation at Newport Beach Dental Center
Dr. Laura Sharbash is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and our approach is conservative, gentle, and focused on your overall health. Whether you are curious about clear aligners for the first time or comparing options, we are happy to review them with you. Our team can walk you through how ProMonitoring fits into aligner care and whether it suits your goals.
To see what remote monitoring could look like for your smile, contact us to schedule a consultation at our Newport Beach office. We would be glad to answer your questions.
