How to overcome the challenges of implementing Clear Aligners in your dental practice
- Jesper Hatt DDS
- May 17
- 5 min read
Clear aligner therapy is an attractive option for many general dentists looking to expand their services, increase revenue, and enhance patient satisfaction. However, implementing aligners successfully involves more than just signing up with an aligner provider—it requires strategic planning, workflow optimisation, and patient management skills.
Many practitioners hesitate to start due to uncertainties about case selection, patient compliance, workflow efficiency, and profitability. Without a structured approach, these concerns can lead to frustration and inefficiencies. The good news? These challenges are common—and manageable when approached with the right strategy.
Key challenges in implementing Clear Aligners
- and how to overcome them
1. Ensuring patient compliance
One of the biggest challenges in clear aligner therapy is patient compliance. Since aligners are removable, their effectiveness depends on the patient wearing them for at least 22 hours per day. If patients fail to comply, treatment outcomes can be compromised, leading to extended timelines and less predictable results.
Solution:
Educate patients on the importance of consistent wear time during consultations.
Set clear expectations about treatment success being tied to compliance.
Educate patients about how to monitor tracking and identifying tracking issues themselves as this will increase ownership of treatment and compliance.
Present the probability of shorter treatment time if the patient is compliant.
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2. Selecting the Right Cases
Not all patients are suitable candidates for clear aligners. Many dentists struggle with determining which cases to take on and which ones to refer or delay. Treating complex cases prematurely can result in unpredictable outcomes and patient dissatisfaction.
Case selection is one of the hardest disciplines in clear aligner therapy. Once you have treated 500-1000 patients yourself, case selection becomes relatively straightforward. Getting to that level of experience can be a challenge if relying solely on the clear aligner company’s feedback, as the Aligner AI and Aligner technicians making the recommendations often lack the clinical background needed to provide reliable case selection guidance.
Please be aware, that no case is a simple case. Even if you only move the anterior teeth according to the virtual setup, the posterior teeth will be affected no matter what kind of orthodonitc system you use.
Solution:
Start with mild-to-moderate malocclusion cases that are easier to manage.
Partner with an expert treatment planning service to help you assess case complexity before making any treatment recommendations for the paitent, starting treatment planning or approving any virtual treatment plans.
Use digital simulations to visualise treatment progress and feasibility.
Observe how expert dentists and orthodontists handle your treatment planning when you use a treatment planning service. Combine this with litterature, relevant courses and the clinical experience you gain as you treat your first 100 patients.
Expand case difficulty gradually as you gain experience and confidence.
3. Managing patient expectations
Many patients expect instant results from clear aligner therapy, largely due to aggressive marketing from aligner companies. When treatment takes longer than expected or does not produce the dramatic results they envisioned, patient satisfaction may drop.
Solution:
Set realistic expectations by explaining treatment timelines, refinements, and limitations. Don't ever promise your patients, that a treatment will be completed after a certain amount of time. Patient compliance, biology, complexity of treatment and the quality of the virtual treatment plan all have a major influence on the predictability of treatment and treatment time.
Use before-and-after simulations to help patients visualise potential results.
Schedule regular progress check-ins to keep patients engaged and reassured.
Highlight success stories and educate on the long-term benefits of clear aligners.
4. Achieving clinical predictability
Clear aligners are highly effective, but some tooth movements—such as extrusions, intrusions, rotations, and root torque—can be challenging. Without proper planning and adjustments, treatment outcomes may not meet expectations.
Solution:
Utilize advanced treatment planning software to create predictable movement sequences. (This is typically not available for in-office solutions)
Be prepared to adjust and refine the treatment to fine-tune results. Just like an orthodontist changes bracket position or bends a wire to achieve the desired results. Refinements are a natural part of any clear aligner treatment.
Use interproximal reduction (IPR) when needed - but be careful to trust the aligner software and technicians as they often make mistakes in this regard.
Always consider the use elastics, buttons, power arms and TADs (mini implants) to achieve sufficient anchorage and force distribution.
Work with an experienced team of dentists and/or orthodontists when treatment planning to ensure optimal case setups.
With complimentary case selection you get free expert treatment planning support. Within 24 hours an expert dentist will send you an indexation of whether your case i easy, moderate, complex or should be referred to an orthodontist. Try it out today - click the button and follow the instructions.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Help You Get Started
The road to implementing clear aligners successfully in your practice may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and approach, it can be a seamless and profitable transition.
To help you navigate these challenges, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide that won't cost you a penny. The guide will help you integrate clear aligners into your practice quickly, efficiently, and profitably.
What you’ll learn in this guide:
How to assess if your practice is ready for clear aligners
The financial formula for maximising profitability
The biggest mistakes general dentists make—and how to avoid them
Strategies for simplifying your workflow and delegating effectively
The key to marketing aligners without feeling pushy
Download Your Guide Today - it does not cost a penny!
Click the blue button below to get instant access to 5 Steps to Start Offering Clear Aligners Profitably in Your General Practice.
Start increasing your revenue and offering life-changing treatments today!
Final Thoughts
Overcoming these common challenges will set you up for success with clear aligners while improving patient care and practice profitability. If you’d like additional support, we also offer expert case selection, treatment planning assistance, and workflow optimisation coaching.
Have questions? Let’s start a conversation!
Leave a comment below or reach out to us directly for guidance.
Kind regards
Jesper Hatt DDS
P: +41 78 268 00 78
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AlignerService
We are dentists helping dentists create realistic, safe and predictable treatment plans with clear aligners.
Currently more than1500 dental practices in 19 different countries use our service on a regular basis. We offer expert guidance in the following clear aligner systems: Invisalign, SureSmile, ClearCorrect, TrioClear, Angel Aligners and Spark.
AlignerService is a preferred partner of ClearCorrect and TrioClear.
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