Karim Boussebaa
• Executive Vice President and Managing Director with global responsibility for Align Technology’s market development and operational execution of the iTero Scanner and Services business.
• He joined Align Technology in February 2023 as an experienced healthcare executive with 28+ years of industry leadership.
• He has 12 years of experience in leading various business units and technologies at Philips Healthcare (U.S. & Netherlands). SVP, Business Leader at Philips Image Guided Therapy Systems (IGTS) where he was responsible for both cath labs fixed systems and mobile systems.
• Prior to his 16 years at Philips, he spent nearly 10 years at GE Healthcare in various leadership positions.
Recently Align Technology announced the new iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner, the company’s latest game changing innovation – can you share some highlights?
Absolutely. The iTero Lumina™ introduces a groundbreaking era in scanning technology, leveraging the innovative iTero Multi-Direct Capture technology. This advancement enables a 3X wider field of capture [1] in a 50% smaller and 45% lighter wand [2], delivering faster [3] scanning speed, higher accuracy [4], superior visualization [5], and a more comfortable [6] scanning experience.
Through exceptional scan quality [4] and photorealistic visuals, the scanner’s superior visualization capability eliminates the need for bulky digital cameras and cheek retractors, providing photorealistic 3D models. This not only enhances a doctor’s diagnostic capabilities but also elevates the overall patient experience because of the smaller wand size.
Could you share any notable observations or feedback from your clinical trials with iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner and how does it contribute to the overall precision in orthodontics and modern digital technology?
The feedback from our clinical trials has been remarkable. The iTero Lumina scanner has demonstrated improved scanning quality at 2X the speed [5], emphasizing our commitment to precision and workflow improvement. This leap forward in imaging and visualization translates to better communication and an enhanced patient experience.
With six cameras and an increased capture range while floating over the dentition, it allows us to showcase unparalleled precision. It gives the dental professionals the confidence to provide their patients with the best, most accurate, and fastest digital workflow when treating them with clear aligners and at the same time, getting the optimal clinical results.
In conclusion, iTero Lumina represents a groundbreaking advancement in intraoral scanning technology, and we are enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on the workflow of our customers, digitization of their practices and ultimately the overall patient care.
How do you envision the future of digital dentistry with the integration of digital technology like intraoral scanners?
I firmly believe that intraoral scanners play a significant role in transforming dental practices by improving precision, efficiency, and the overall patient experience. With ongoing advancements in this technology, we’re poised for a future where workflows for dental professionals become more seamless and integrated.
Take, for example, the iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner. It empowers practitioners to capture incredibly accurate digital impressions, which not only enhances the precision of treatment planning but also significantly improves patient comfort. This integration of technology in dentistry can foster better communication between dental professionals and their labs, streamlining processes and accelerating the turnaround time for restorations and aligners.
The widespread adoption of intraoral scanners has the potential to transform how dental professionals approach diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient interaction. This advancement signals a more technologically advanced era in digital dentistry, providing a much-improved experience for patients undergoing treatments that historically might have been uncomfortable.
How does Align Technology plan to stay at the forefront of industry advancements and continue to provide innovative solutions for dental professionals globally?
For over 26 years, our commitment has revolved around nurturing a culture of learning and continuous progress within the dental community, reaffirming our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and efficiency. We advocate for the transformative power of seamlessly integrated digital workflows and tools, aiming to redefine the possibilities in modern dentistry.
Looking ahead, a primary focus for us is to continue evolving the technologies within the Align Digital Platform™ and to raise awareness about how these advancements can help doctors treat diverse patients including growing patients and teens.
Our ongoing efforts involve combining orthodontic and restorative dentistry, aiming for superior treatment planning and elevating the overall quality of patient care.
Finally, our commitment to pioneering advancements in the dental industry is strengthened by our close collaboration with our customers. Their invaluable feedback and active involvement allow us to refine and enhance our solutions continually. By placing the customer at the core of our innovation journey, we ensure that Align Technology remains at the forefront of industry advancements, delivering cutting-edge solutions to dental professionals worldwide.
The iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner represents a groundbreaking advancement in intraoral scanning technology.
