Maintaining cloud storage of final orthodontic records for braces, aligners, and Invisalign is standard practice amongst orthodontists. However, this practice has yet to become popular among general and pediatric dentists who provide orthodontic services to their clients.

In this article, we’ll discuss why cloud storage has become common practice for orthodontists and why those who don’t currently implement this strategy should consider doing so.

The first reason why cloud storage of final models is the standard of care for final records mandated by your area. Before the creation of digital study models, orthodontists used to keep physical final models for seven years after treatment or seven years after the patient turned 18. Even if your state does not mandate that you hold onto final models for a set period after treatment, there are other reasons why you should.

One of these reasons is risk management. Final models can help you significantly in the event of a complaint to a dental board or an insurance company. Not having these final study models in the event of a complaint can hurt you, especially if mandated by standard of care. Final models will help you to defend yourself against a complaint by ensuring that you have evidence of how the case looked at completion.

Additionally, these final models can help you to continue making money from these clients while having a high standard of care. The final models can be used to assist clients in the event of a lost retainer. While it isn’t perfect, final models can be used to make retainers from clients with braces or aligners, which you can charge for. You can also make bleaching trays and night guards from these final study models, which allow you to continue a good standard of care with your patients.