A record and a potential view have different purposes
The manufacturer describes an iTero scan as a three-dimensional image of the teeth. It describes Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro as showing a potential future smile.
Those descriptions give you a useful starting distinction: a record of teeth and a representation of a possible future appearance answer different questions. Before interpreting the picture, identify which one you are being shown.
Sources: Manufacturer: Digital views
Some visualizations are linked to a treatment plan
Align describes ClinCheck Smile Video as a visualization of a ClinCheck plan in a face video. Its described inputs include a face video, tooth scan and plan prescription.
That named tool is a reason to avoid treating every preview as the same thing. Its described inputs and purpose should not be assigned to a different simulator simply because both show a face or teeth.
Sources: Manufacturer: ClinCheck planning
Keep the description attached to its tool
This guide does not establish which named tools are used in your appointment. The name and status of the representation should come from the team showing it to you.
| Representation | Described purpose | Useful reading |
|---|---|---|
| Current scan | A three-dimensional tooth record. | Identify the record being referenced. |
| Outcome Simulator Pro | A potential future view, including an in-face simulation. | Read 'potential' as part of the description. |
| ClinCheck Smile Video | A video representation of a ClinCheck plan. | Connect the view to the plan it represents. |
Worked reading: three labelled views in one discussion
Fictional example. Imagine a clinician explains three textual labels; no clinical image or actual result is shown here.
| Label | Accompanying wording | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| View A | Current scan record A. | The label identifies a current record. |
| View B | Potential-smile simulation; options for discussion. | The wording presents a possibility for discussion. |
| View C | ClinCheck plan-linked view; document A awaits clinician review. | The view is connected to a named planning document whose review is still pending. |
The stated status changes how you read the view
Views B and C both look toward a possible future, but their labels describe different relationships. View B is labelled for exploring possibilities. View C points to a particular document and also says that its review is pending.
Calling View C plan-linked does not turn the word 'pending' into 'approved'. Calling View B a simulation does not make it useless: it can still help someone explain what they want to discuss. The useful next connection is between the view, the document it represents and the goals being discussed.
You might say: 'Which view are we looking at, and which current document should I use alongside it?' That keeps your question about the actual explanation, rather than asking the image to settle the whole plan.