Why are dentists hesitant to adopt clear aligners?

Clear aligners were first developed as a prototype in the late 1990s by the creators of what would later be known as the Invisalign® brand. Since then, clear aligners have undergone radical changes and unravelled bottomless possibilities for orthodontic treatment. With an ever-increasing emphasis on aesthetics and comfort, individuals are hot on the rampant heels of clear aligners, swayed by their discreet appearance and ease of use.

However, instead of riding this invisible aligner wave to boost one’s practice, many dentists are demonstrating hostile reluctance towards adopting them.

Read on to know why dentists may not want to straighten up their practice with clear aligners.

1. Financial load or overload?

Perhaps, the biggest barrier to implementing clear aligner systems in one’s dental practice roster is the capital outlay. While price and return on investment are significant for clear aligner providers, it is fair to outline that the upfront costs regarding equipment, technology and personnel training are hefty. Utilizing clear aligners will require the dentists to invest in specialized technology, and software, which can incur great costs, especially for budding dentists.

Additionally, as compared to traditional braces, clear aligners often offer lower upfront costs for patients, which may result in lower profit margins for dentists. While a complete traditional braces treatment may cost anywhere from USD 3,000 to USD 10,000, clear aligners are typically priced between USD 2,500 and USD 6,000. Since the upfront payment structure favours traditional metal braces, it can also lead to quicker financial returns for the dentists.

2. Clinical considerations

Another reason why dentists may not be open to providing clear aligners is that the lab they have partnered with is not equipped to manage digital workflows. And since clear aligners demand the use of digital technology like intraoral scanners and software to transfer scans, labs that do not offer these digital services may also hold their corroborating partner dentist back.

Traditional braces also offer more flexibility when controlling complex malocclusions, making them a safer and more predictable option for severe cases. Contrarily, aligners may only be suitable for some patients which restricts the pool of prospective patients for dentists; something that no dentist wants to hear.

3. Workflow ruse

Treatment with clear aligners can take longer than with traditional braces. The success of a clear aligner treatment is also heavily dependent on the patient’s compliance. One is supposed to wear clear aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day without fail. The removability aspect of the clear aligners makes the treatment process especially tricky since patients need to wear their appliances of their own will.

Therefore, dentists who do not want to deal with the logistical challenges that come with potentially increased chair time for patients and the arbitrary nature and progression of the treatment outcomes, do not tend to invest their time and resources in such treatments.

4. Not tech-savvy and won’t try?

The overall treatment process of clear aligners involves many digital components, particularly the 3D intraoral scanner. This tool is powerful in fabricating accurate and precise impressions of the patients’ mouths, allowing the dentist to create a treatment plan that best fits the patient and guarantees optimal results.

However, since many dentists have not received any formal training in operating digital machinery for clear aligners, this can cause some hesitation in adopting a seemingly alien technology.

Change your outlook

The clear aligner scope can be extremely rewarding and lucrative if done right. However, since many dentists are reluctant to make the switch from conventional braces to clear aligners, they may unfortunately be left behind.

Offering clear aligners can initially be intimidating but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Your business doesn’t have to be the next Invisalign or ClearCorrect or another ultra-famous aligner provider that brings in hundreds of patients by the minute. Instead, you can start small, study your pool, and improve upon it.

If you are unsure of how to make the first step in offering clear aligners, check out PlusSmile® to partner with it and start offering sensational clear aligner services to your patients today.