Partnering for Success in Clear Aligner Therapy

Big or small, every dental practice can benefit from the right partnership. Just ask Jennifer Derse, DDS, co-founder and chief clinical director of Espire Dental, a large group practice headquartered in Denver, CO. Dr. Derse recently shared how collaborating with clear aligner provider ClearCorrect has helped Espire teams improve clinical efficiency, treatment outcomes, patient experiences, and so much more.

A Premier Aligner Experience

Since its founding in 2006, ClearCorrect and parent company Straumann Group have offered an end-to-end aligner experience that empowers dentists to achieve their patients’ orthodontic goals. At the heart of this experience is a premier aligner engineered for optimal precision, comfort, and esthetics, and it’s made with ClearQuartz—a state-of-the-art, tri-layer material that resists tearing and staining.

ClearCorrect aligners are the product of decades of material science, research, and innovation, and according to Dr. Derse, it shows. “They are actually clear!” she said. “With some other brands, you can see wavy lines caused by lower-quality printing processes, but these look the best.”

In addition to their clarity, ClearCorrect aligners uniquely feature a high and flat trimline that extends beyond the gingival margin. This design has been clinically proven to increase accuracy of tooth movement and provide 2.5 times the retention of conventional scalloped aligners, reducing the need for buttons or engagers.

Having personally worn both ClearCorrect and aligners from other providers, Dr. Derse can testify that the high trimline allows for a more discreet, comfortable wear. “The higher trimline is harder to see and doesn’t cut your lips like scalloped edges,” she remarked.

Predictable Results

Perhaps most importantly, and certainly a boon to patients, ClearCorrect aligners enable consistent and timely orthodontic outcomes. “Around 90% of our doctors are now using ClearCorrect, and they’ve shared that they appreciate the increased predictability in an often faster timeframe,” Dr. Derse said.

Espire dentists report that ClearCorrect aligners require far fewer refinements than aligners from the group’s previous provider and move teeth an additional 0.1 mm per tray—benefits that equate to easier, more efficient treatment. “In any aligner system, the patient’s ability to wear their trays consistently is a variable,” Dr. Derse explained. Because treatment takes fewer weeks to complete, Espire teams have seen a marked reduction in compliance fatigue since beginning their partnership with ClearCorrect.

Seamless Integration, Flexible Workflows

Another advantage that positions ClearCorrect as an ideal partner is its open platform, which allows for seamless integration with existing practice technology, as well as flexible digital workflows. Espire teams work with a range of intraoral scanners—from older, inherited models to the latest on the market.

“GPs are restorative dentists first, so when we need a new scanner, I want to order the best performing restorative scanner that will also work with our existing ortho workflow,” Dr. Derse explained. “You shouldn’t have to change your system to accommodate the technology—the technology should accommodate the doctor.” In turn, she calls the ClearCorrect platform’s ability to accept STL files from any scanner a “huge” plus.

Digital tools like the ClearCorrect Sync App, Doctor Portal, and ClearPilot treatment planning software also help make aligner therapy more accessible for teams of every size, simplifying cases from submission through completion. To top it off, the platform offers

Treatment Planning Optimization (TPO) services, which connect practices with ortho experts, allowing clinicians to learn from the pros and collaborate on complex cases for increased success. “ClearCorrect’s TPO services have been a huge help in increasing the confidence of our new providers,” Dr. Derse noted.

A Partner Through It All

According to Dr. Derse, beyond making it easier for her group to provide exceptional clear aligner therapy, partnering with ClearCorrect has been cost-effective as well. “In a DSO, lab fees are always a part of the equation, and ClearCorrect’s are more equitable, even with the addition of TPO,” she shared. And while some providers require you to pay to learn how to use their products, Dr. Derse praised ClearCorrect for providing comprehensive educational resources at no extra cost. “The complimentary Ortho Campus makes it really easy for me to onboard any doctor who is new to aligner therapy,” she said.

Ultimately, Dr. Derse is glad to report that with ClearCorrect, her practice has found a partner that not only offers an excellent product but aligns with the group’s core values. “We value collaboration, and we teach our providers to approach treatment planning as a partnership with patients. ClearCorrect and Straumann fill that role for us,” she explained. “It genuinely feels like they always want to be better for us and do more for our teams.”