Align Technology, Inc., a global medical device leader known for designing, manufacturing, and selling the Invisalign System of clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, has announced a significant new collaboration with the University of Bern. The two organizations are working together on Switzerland’s first comprehensive epidemiological oral health research project, the Swiss Oral Health Study, directed by Professor Dr. Hendrik Meyer‑Lückel, who leads the Clinic for Conservative, Preventive, and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Bern. This landmark initiative began in August 2025 and represents a major milestone in understanding oral health trends across the Swiss population.
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The Swiss Oral Health Study aims to gather large‑scale, representative data on dental health among several age categories, including children aged 6–12, adults aged 35–44, and seniors aged 65–74. By the end of the project’s timeline, researchers plan to examine around 1,800 children by June 2026 and 1,650 adults by late 2027, covering six cantons: Aargau, Bern, Lucerne, Ticino, Vaud, and Zurich. This initiative seeks to create a clear picture of oral health across different life stages, helping to guide future healthcare policies and improve preventive strategies. Through this effort, the study hopes to uncover prevalent trends such as rising early childhood caries and establish a reliable baseline for future oral public health planning.
A key component of the study’s data collection is the use of an Align‑branded mobile dental van outfitted with an iTero™ Lumina intraoral scanner. This specially equipped van travels to schools and communities throughout Switzerland, allowing research teams to perform examinations and digital oral scans directly on site. Designed to operate independently throughout a full workday, the mobile unit includes dual examination chairs to ensure efficient workflows and accommodate a higher number of participants comfortably. By bringing the technology directly to participants rather than requiring them to visit a clinic, the study improves accessibility and ensures a broader range of data can be collected. It also introduces a new model for conducting large‑scale field research in dentistry.
The iTero Lumina scanner plays a central role in the study by capturing high‑quality digital images of participants’ mouths. This advanced intraoral scanner is engineered to address difficult‑to‑scan areas like the palate, spaces without teeth, partially erupted teeth, and crowded dental arches. Its performance is powered by iTero Multi‑Direct Capture™ technology, which offers a wide field of view, extended capture distance, and multi‑angle imaging, resulting in fast, accurate scans that enhance the efficiency of data collection. The scanner’s design also aims to provide a more comfortable experience for participants, speeding up the scanning process while maintaining clinical precision. These capabilities support the researchers’ goals of enhancing diagnostic accuracy and expanding the potential for trained dental assistants to contribute to oral health screenings.
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iTero Lumina also integrates near‑infrared imaging (NIRI) technology, which allows real‑time visualization of internal tooth structures, including enamel and dentine. This radiation‑free imaging method is particularly useful for detecting and monitoring interproximal caries lesions located above the gum line, which might otherwise be difficult to identify without traditional radiographs. Additionally, the scanner supports the Align™ Oral Health Suite, a digital platform that enables comprehensive oral health assessments from a single scan. This suite includes advanced diagnostic and visualization tools such as Occlusogram, TimeLapse, and Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro, all accessible through a streamlined interface. The system helps clinicians explain oral health findings in a way that is easy for patients to understand and allows for personalized reporting on a wide range of dental conditions.
The inclusion of these technologies not only enhances data quality but also expands the study’s ability to examine how digital diagnostic tools can complement traditional clinical examinations. By incorporating digital scans alongside standard clinical evaluations, the research team expects to gain deeper insights into oral health patterns and the feasibility of using digital approaches to support preventive care. Longitudinal follow‑up assessments will further enrich the dataset, offering a more comprehensive understanding of how oral health evolves over time and how it may influence overall well‑being.
Simon Beard, Align Technology’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director for EMEA, expressed pride in the company’s involvement, stating that Align is honored to support this forward‑thinking research partnership. He emphasized how the integration of the iTero Lumina scanner into the study enhances data quality and underscores the potential of digital diagnostics as a valuable complement to clinical work. Beard noted that the collaboration with the University of Bern exemplifies how industry and academia can work together to foster meaningful innovation and contribute to better oral health outcomes for future generations.
Professor Dr. Meyer‑Lückel also highlighted the importance of the study, noting that it represents a significant step forward in understanding oral health across Switzerland. He acknowledged the valuable support provided by Align Technology and emphasized how the iTero Lumina scanner has improved the ability to collect high‑quality data efficiently and with greater comfort for participants of all ages, including young children. The insights generated from this study are expected to shape preventive care strategies and influence public health programs designed to improve oral health nationwide.
The Swiss Oral Health Study stands as a pioneering effort in dental epidemiology, and its findings are poised to influence how oral health is understood and addressed in Switzerland for years to come.
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