With Clear Aligners becoming increasingly popular—one of the few dental devices patients ask for by name—there are questions surrounding what Clear Aligners treat, how they work, how one cleans them, and so many more. If you have added Clear Aligners to your practice the following are answers to your patients’ most common questions. If you are looking to add Clear Aligners to your practice, please explore the seamless digital process with Dandy—just starting one case per week could bring in $200,000 more to your practice annually.
1. What are Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners are an alternative to traditional braces and orthodontics. Instead of using metal wires or brackets, clear, plastic aligners are placed over teeth to apply consistent, gentle pressure and guide teeth into their proper position.
What types of cases do Clear Aligners treat?
Clear Aligners are nearly invisible, minimally invasive, and treat a wide range of spacing and bite issues, including:
- Mild-to-moderate crowding
- Arch expansion
- Underbites and overbites
- Crossbites and open bites (when paired with other devices and/or procedures)
Millions of patients worldwide have successfully improved their smiles and dental health using Clear Aligners.
2. What are the benefits of Clear Aligners?
Your entire staff should know these benefits (learn how teamwork can increase Clear Aligner case acceptance) so you needn’t do all the communications.
Firstly, please remind your patients that while most assume Clear Aligner benefits are purely cosmetic, they offer health benefits too.
Crowded and overlapping teeth make it easier for plaque and bacteria to accumulate. Over time, this can lead to cavities and gum disease. On the other end of the spectrum, too much space between their teeth can lead to gum damage, bone damage, and, in severe cases, loose teeth.
Properly spaced teeth are less likely to hold onto food debris and are easier to clean. This reduces the likelihood of developing conditions like gingivitis, endocarditis, and gum disease. Patients who complete their Clear Aligner treatments report higher levels of confidence and better dental hygiene.
Dandy Clear Aligner treatments come with a 3-in-1 whitening and cleaning solution to help patients achieve their dental hygiene and aesthetic goals.
3. What is the Clear Aligner treatment process?
To get started, you will assess their case by taking photos of their smile and performing a digital intraoral scan of their mouth. This information will be used to design a treatment plan customized to their specific needs. Once they’ve approved the treatment plan, you will order their Clear Aligners, and schedule a follow-up appointment to receive the Clear Aligners and begin the treatment.
How long does treatment last?
The length of treatment can vary based on the complexity of their case and the number of steps needed. Plans can range from four months to 24+ months depending on the case complexity. Each Clear Aligner step is worn for a 14-day cycle.
How often do they need to visit you?
The number of appointments as well as the time between appointments will ultimately be determined by you. Most patients will be seen by the doctor every four weeks to ensure their treatment is on track. The patient will be on their own to change the aligner every 14 days.
What are Clear Aligners made out of?
Clear Aligners are molded out of clear, BPA-free and phthalate-free, medical-grade plastic for comfort and results. The interior layer of the aligner is slightly soft to allow for comfortable tooth movement. The exterior layers are rigid and durable to protect against grinding, clenching, and cracking.
What are the benefits of working with you, a dental professional, for Clear Aligner treatment vs direct-to-consumer companies?
Simply: you are trained in tooth movement and will be monitoring their treatment in-person to guarantee safety and effectiveness. This includes periodic evaluations and X-rays to monitor their progress and oral health. There are a variety of direct-to-consumer clear aligner treatments in the market, but these companies do not offer in-person evaluation, or supervision and are not able to provide a truly custom treatment that factors in your unique physiology. Working with a dentist is, ultimately, the safest and most effective option for Clear Aligners.
4. How will Clear Aligners impact daily life?
Clear Aligners should have a minimal impact on one’s day-to-day activities.
Will Clear Aligners impact speech?
Patients may experience changes to their speech for the first few days, and up to a week. This is often temporary and corrects itself once you have adjusted to the sensation of having the Clear Aligners in your mouth.
Pro tip: Have them practice speaking using the Rainbow Passage, and their speech will quickly go back to normal.
How do you clean Clear Aligners?
Cleaning Clear Aligners is necessary but easy! Clean your aligners with soap, water, and effervescent cleaning tablets daily. Dandy Clear Aligners come with a 3-in-1 cleaning, breath freshening, and whitening solution that is sprayed in the Clear Aligner trays.
Pro tip: Do not use warm water or toothpaste to clean your aligners. Warm water can reshape the plastic and toothpaste can reduce the clarity of the aligner, giving it a cloudy appearance.
Do clear aligners cause pain?
You may experience soreness and discomfort during the initial stages of tooth movement. You may also experience some mild discomfort for the first few days with each new aligner. Once your teeth begin to move, the discomfort will go away.
5. What is the cost of Clear Aligners?
Cost varies based on the patients’ insurance benefits and the number of Clear Aligners needed to perfect their smile. Make sure to check if your patients have FSA and/or HSA funds that they can put toward the treatment.
Add Dandy Clear Aligners to your practice
Speaking of cost, Gilda Rodriguez, a Treatment Consultation Manager at Dana Ortho says, “I like that Dandy passes the savings onto the patient for Clear Aligners. The pricing is so easy and uncomplicated.” Some name-brand Clear Aligners come with a price tag to cover those big marketing dollars—not with Dandy.
“My favorite part of working with Dandy is their Clear Aligner program,” says Dr. Ashley Ciapciak of Brede Ciapciak Dental. “It’s super easy for myself and my patients. If I have a patient who’s interested in Clear Aligners, they come in, I scan them, take a few pictures and just send it off to Dandy.”
Click below to learn more about our seamless and affordable Clear Aligners program.
