The dental business landscape is more competitive today than ever before. According to one report, India has “one dentist for every 3,846 people, which is almost double the WHO’s recommendation ratio of 1:7,500.” It means the nation has more dentists than necessary.
While it is quite convenient for a patient to have so many options nearby, a dental clinic has to compete to attract and retain patients in a crowded market. The competition gets more intense as every clinic is offering nearly similar services. This is the scenario when every dentist should be asking themselves, “How can I make my practice stand out in a crowded marketplace?”
The answer lies in innovation, patient-first solutions, and using smart technology. Specifically, integrating clear aligner therapy in your dental practice provides a unique opportunity to grow and differentiate your practice.
Clear aligner therapy isn’t just about making teeth straight; it is also about providing a lifestyle-friendly approach sought by today’s dental patients. By becoming a reliable provider of clear aligners, your dental practice can establish itself as a modern, high-quality, and patient-centred leader in your area(Alt Tag: Infographic on the benefits of Clear Aligners for Dentists)
The Clear Aligner Revolution: Why Patients Are Choosing ‘Invisible’
Although metal braces have traditionally been effective, they are not as desirable to many adult orthodontic patients and teenagers who are worried about how they look during treatment. Braces have a lot of visibility, cause discomfort, and limit the patient’s diet.
Clear aligners make the process of orthodontic treatment much more appealing and accessible to a broad range of adult and teenage patients. No wonder they are preferred by many patients over traditional braces. Due to their ever-increasing popularity, the market size of clear aligners is valued at 10.17 USD by 2032.
1. The Power of Discretion (The Clear Advantage)
The biggest advantage of clear aligners is their near invisibility. Aligners are virtually invisible in daily conversation and photos.
Professionals –
If you have a professional client who needs to attend client meetings, present to groups of people or network, wearing clear aligners lets them do these things without worrying about a visible metal appliance.
Teens-
Because teens are often socially anxious during their developmental years, the use of clear aligners alleviates a lot of that anxiety. Teens who use clear aligners during this time period are often more confident and feel much less socially inhibited.
2. Convenience and Comfort
The advantages of clear aligner therapies extend far beyond their appearance. They ensure convenience and comfort for your patients.
For example, your clients can remove them while eating their favourite foods without having to go through the long list of “DON’Ts” associated with braces.
You can also take them out while brushing and flossing, helping you maintain oral hygiene. As a result, there will be less risk of plaque build-up, tooth discolouration, and dental issues that are typically related to fixed braces.
Compared to the “sharp” wires and brackets associated with fixed braces, the smooth surface of the clear aligner means less irritation to the gums and cheek area.
The Competitive Advantage for Your Practice
Integrating clear aligners for dental clinics does more than just attract your patients; it transforms your practice’s operations, marketing, and revenue streams.
1. Expanding Your Patient Base (Beyond the Orthodontist)
Historically, if a person had mild to moderate alignment issues, they would have had two options: either live with it or seek a specialist. Now, a general dentist can confidently and consistently treat such cases of mild to moderate misalignment using clear aligners.
Capture the Adult Market:
Approximately 60% of clear aligner patients are adults. And most of these adults are often already your existing patients. If you offer clear aligner treatment, you don’t need to refer them out to the specialist. This way, you keep your patients while adding to the revenue.
Attract New Markets:
By offering clear aligners, your clinic has the ability to market to new patient demographics, as well as establish itself as a modern, full-service dental practice.
2. Digital Workflow and Efficiency
Clear aligner solutions leverage advanced digital technology that streamlines your clinic’s operations.
3D Scanners and Treatment Plan:
The treatment starts with the intraoral scan that replaces conventional and messy impressions. The intraoral scanner’s digital information is used to develop an accurate, step-by-step plan for the entire course of treatment. It allows the patient and the dentist/orthodontist to have a visual representation of the proposed treatment before it begins. AI has also been incorporated into the technology associated with clear aligners.
Fewer and Quick Appointments:
Unlike braces that require frequent visits for wire adjustments, aligner check-ups are quicker and less frequent. This not only frees up the dentist’s chair time, but it also eases the burden on office staff by reducing the amount of time they spend on paperwork and communicating with patients.
Predictable Outcomes:
Digital treatment planning identifies and tracks every movement of the teeth. As such, planned movements will yield very predictable results for patients. The predictable outcome translates directly to higher patient satisfaction and improved reputation of your dental clinic.
3. Boosting Your Clinic’s Reputation and Revenue
Another benefit of clear aligners for dental clinics is a boost to reputation and revenue.
• You can become the “Go-To” Clinic: When you invest in training or technology to provide quality results using clear aligners, you are marketing yourself as a leader and innovator in “today’s” cosmetic/restorative dentistry.
• High Revenue: Clear aligner therapy can become a substantial source of revenue for the practice, thus increasing profitability. Patients who have had successful cosmetic outcomes are likely to return for further services such as whitening, veneers, or routine restorative services.
• Referrals: The happy patient with their newly straightened smile will act as your most effective marketing tool. Their before & after photos will serve as your advertisement and will ultimately lead to additional referrals for your practice.
Implementing a Smart Clear Aligner Strategy
Getting started with clear aligners for dental clinics requires more than just signing up with a brand; it demands a comprehensive strategy.
Training and Expertise –
Make sure that all clinical staff members, i.e. dentists, hygienists and assistants, are thoroughly trained in the use of clear aligners. With continuous education, you can feel confident in treating mild to moderate cases. It also helps you determine which patients will require a referral to an orthodontic specialist for more complicated cases.
Marketing Your Service –
Tell your community that you offer clear aligner solutions. Here’s how…
- Create an ‘Aligners Page’ on your website that promotes your clear aligner services, optimise this page for search engines by using keywords related to clear aligners, such as “Aligners for Dentists” or “Clear Aligners in [YOUR CITY].” Include before-and-after pictures of patients (where permitted) on social media channels. Or a digital marketing expert can help you with that.
- Offer a free consultation or free digital scans so that you can educate them on the treatment they could receive through clear aligners, and help them feel confident about starting treatment with you.
- Actively collect video testimonials and online reviews by patients who are satisfied with clear aligner treatment, as these types of reviews offer social proof, which can encourage potential customers to opt for your services.
Choosing the Right Partner
There are many clear aligner providers in the market. While investing in a system, choose the one that offers strong clinical support, predictable software, and high-quality materials. Choosing such things carefully will directly impact the success of your patient outcomes and the efficiency of your clinic’s workflow.
Final Thoughts: A Future-Proof Practice
The demand for convenient and discreet orthodontics is going up. Dental clinics that miss this service are facing the risk of being left behind. They are missing out on both revenue and the opportunity to become a leading health provider for their patients.
By incorporating the use of clear aligners into your practice model, you will not only have added a new service, but you will have effectively upgraded everything about how you operate your dental practice. You are adopting the cutting-edge technology combined with the highest level of patient experience, all while differentiating your business from others.
