Straumann explains how offering clean alignment therapy can prove to be a lucrative revenue stream for your practice.
If the recent collapse of the Smile Direct Club showed that aligners based on “discount” home molding kits were always a recipe for disaster, it also showed how demanding clean aligner treatment is. It was reported that 65,000 patients in the UK alone were left high and dry (BDA, 2023).
Indeed, the increase in the number of adult orthodontic patients has caused a surge in demand for aesthetic and comfortable alternatives to conventional fixed appliances (Tamer et al, 2019).
Aligner treatment is no longer the exclusive domain of young people. According to the British Orthodontic Society (BOS), 76% of orthodontists reported an increase in adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment in the past three years and the majority of patients (83%) are in the 26-55 age group (BOS, 2023). ).
Many patients are interested in discreet and convenient alternatives to traditional braces, and aligners provide just that. The BOS says the rise of online work and video calling is a factor in seeking treatment, along with adult patients being impressed by the smiles of influencers and celebrities (BOS, 2023). By offering clear aligner treatment, dental professionals can position their practices as a modern and patient-focused option, appealing to a potentially larger demographic.
Different spectrum of patients
Aligners are suitable for a wide range of orthodontic corrections (Baneshi, 2023). Their versatility allows dental professionals to appeal to a wide range of patients, from teenagers looking for minor adjustments to adults looking for comprehensive orthodontic care.
Many adult patients request an orthodontic re-treatment due to an orthodontic relapse or unsatisfactory previous treatments. One study in 1986 reported that 6-7% of adult treatments are retreatments, and another in 2011 reported that 12.6% of adult patients reported having received previous treatment that was unsatisfactory (Saccomanno, 2022).
Another benefit of incorporating alignment therapy into a practice offering is treatment time. While the length of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the case, on average, aligner treatment lasts between six and 18 months (Buschang et al, 2014). This shorter treatment time—fixed braces have an average treatment time of 18 to 24 months—can be attractive to patients who want to achieve desired results as quickly as possible (HD Orthodontics, 2024).
This can create higher patient turnover and increase the number of cases that can be treated within a given period. Additionally, alignment therapy requires fewer practice visits compared to traditional braces, which can also help a dental surgery maximize efficiency and reduce overhead (Saccomanno, 2022).
Revenue generation
When it comes to monetization, offering alignment processing allows a practice to set competitive rates. The cost of aligners can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case and the number of aligners required. By offering alignment therapy, a practice can adjust its pricing to be competitive within its local market while ensuring a healthy profit margin (Capital on Tap, 2023).
Offering alignment therapy can lead to increased patient satisfaction and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Aligners are known for their comfort and convenience, another factor in their popularity. When patients are happy with their treatment experience and achieve desired results, they are more likely to refer friends, family and colleagues to a practice (Gray et al, 2021). This can lead to a steady influx of new patients.
Integrating alignment therapy into a practice can also improve the overall treatment offering and patient experience. Many alignment systems have advanced digital technology, such as 3D modeling and treatment planning software (Tartaglia et al, 2021).
These tools allow the dental professional to create virtual treatment plans and show patients their expected results before they even begin their treatment. This level of technology and visualization can impress patients and create confidence in their dentist’s expertise (Szabó et al, 2023), leading to increased treatment acceptance rates and, ultimately, revenue generation.
Training in Clear Alignment Therapy
The Straumann Group’s ClearCorrect accreditation course is for dental professionals who are new to clearing alignment therapy. The aim of the course is to improve the orthodontic knowledge and confidence of a clinician to be able to deal with mild to moderate cases of malocclusion.
The course, which includes 90 days of instruction and the first three cases free, covers tooth movement, biomechanics, predictability, protocols, technologies and preferences that improve the dentist’s understanding of how alignment therapy works. With hands-on sessions and demonstrations, the courses are both interactive and informal. Upcoming dates can be found on the Straumann website.
Adding aligner therapy to a dental office offering can be an extremely lucrative revenue stream. The demand for discreet and effective orthodontic correction is increasing. This means that providing aligner treatment allows dental professionals to attract a wider patient base and tap into a growing market.
Shorter treatment time, competitive pricing options and the potential for positive word-of-mouth referrals further contribute to the financial benefits of incorporating aligners into a practice. By embracing this innovative treatment option, dentists can increase their profitability by providing patients with a modern and convenient orthodontic solution.
For more details, please visit www.straumann.com/clearcorrect/gb/en/landing/clearcorrect-aligners.html.
bibliographical references
- BDA www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/smiledirectclub-collapse-what-you-need-to-know/
- Tamer İ, Öztaş E, Marşan G. Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners and The Scientific Reality Behind Their Marketing: A Literature Review. Turk J Orthod. 2019 Dec 1;32(4):241-246. doi: 10.5152/TurkOrthod.2019.18083. PMID: 32110470; PMCID: PMC7018497. [Accessed December 2023]
- British Orthodontic Society bos.org.uk/news/new-stats-from-the-british-orthodontic-society-reveal-online-working-triggers-a-rise-in-adults-seeking-tooth-straightening-treatment/
- Baneshi M, School of Medical Sciences, Division of Dentistry, University of Manchester, 2023, Effectiveness of clear orthodontic aligners in correcting malocclusion research.manchester.ac.uk/files/274923494/FULL_TEXT.PDF [Accessed January 2024]
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- Orthodontics HD hdorthodontics.com/blog/long-will-braces
- Capital On Tap www.capitalontap.com/en/guides/posts/choosing-the-right-pricing-strategy/
- Gray L, McNeill L, Yi W, Zvonereva A, Brunton P, Mei L. The “business” of dentistry: Consumer (patient) criteria in choosing and evaluating dental services. PLoS One. 6, 16 (8) August 2021: e0253517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253517. PMID: 34358252; PMCID: PMC8345823. [Accessed January 2024]
- Tartaglia GM, Mapelli A, Maspero C, Santaniello T, Serafin M, Farronato M, Caprioglio A. Direct 3D Printing of Clear Orthodontic Aligners: Current State and Future Possibilities. Materials (Basel). 5 Apr 2021, 14(7):1799. doi: 10.3390/ma14071799. PMID: 33916462; PMCID: PMC8038630. [Accessed January 2024]
- Szabó RM, Buzás N, Braunitzer G, Shedlin MG, Antal MÁ. Factors influencing patient satisfaction and loyalty as perceived by dentists and their patients. Dental journal. 2023? 11(9):203. doi.org/10.3390/dj11090203 [Accessed January 2024].
