How to: Prescribe clear aligners

Clear aligner therapy-also known as invisible braces or clear braces-is a popular form of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually move a patient’s teeth. Clear aligners can be used effectively to improve the esthetic appearance and bite function of your patient.

Despite the recent soft economy, there is still tremendous practice-building potential for doctors who provide their patients with clear aligner therapy. This practice-building potential is supported by the following statistics¹: Overall, orthodontics is approximately a $7 billion market.

Each year, approximately 2 million people in the U.S. begin orthodontic treatment 1 in 5 people don’t undergo orthodontic treatment until they become adults.

Although the demand for clear aligner therapy is strong, consumers are looking for esthetically pleasing results, and value as well. The ClearCorrect™ Aligner System is positioned to meet the needs of doctors and patients who are looking for a simpler, more affordable and effective clear aligner system.

ClearCorrect uses an efficient design and manufacturing technology to create an efficient business model that helps patients reduce their costs. The average patient can finally afford the smile he or she always wanted. Getting started with the ClearCorrect system is relatively easy. You can attend a ClearCorrect full-day hands-on  workshop (for doctors who are new to clear aligner therapy) or a 2½-hour webinar (for experienced doctors who have trained on another clear aligner system).

Submitting a case

Have your patient sign an informed consent and agreement form. This form can be downloaded from the Doctor’s area of ClearCorrect.com. Take complete pre-treatment records. To ensure accuracy, ClearCorrect requires full records from multiple sources: upper and lower PVS impressions, PVS bite registration, full-mouth or panoramic x-rays, and facial and intraoral photos. Complete and sign a ClearCorrect Case Submission form from the Doctor’s area of ClearCorrect.com. Ship your case to ClearCorrect using a pre-paid shipping label provided with your intro kit.

Using the ClearCorrect system

ClearCorrect uses a phase-based treatment approach. This enables the doctor to make any needed corrections and adjustments throughout the course of treatment without additional cost.

ClearCorrect delivers its aligners in phases, with each phase delivered in a special box (Fig. 1). Each ClearCorrect box includes records that explain in detail that particular phase of treatment (Fig. 2). These records walk the doctor step by step through each phase of treatment and include a phase overview, which summarizes the instructions for that particular phase, as well as an individual instruction sheet, which details the treatment for each step (Fig.3).

The instruction sheets for each step instruct the doctor where to apply interproximal reduction (IPR) if needed, and explain exactly which teeth the aligners are moving and also how those teeth are being moved. Under the patient records are the ClearCorrect aligners, which are attached to patient instruction cards.

ClearCorrect aligners are delivered in steps, with two steps per each patient instruction card. Aligners for each step are worn for three weeks. In six weeks, the patient returns for the next two steps of aligners. A retainer case is included with the delivery of the first treatment phase (Fig. 4).

Duplicate models corresponding with each step also are included in the bottom of the box (Fig. 5). These models can be used to track treatment progress over time or to fabricate replacement aligners in-house, to avoid lab fees.

ClearCorrect’s effectiveness is illustrated in before-and-after photos (Figs. 6).