Build a Healthy Practice with Motto Clear Aligners

We’ve all heard the 3-legged stool analogy. It’s been applied to various businesses and products. Basically, you need “these 3 components” for success. Dr. Payam Ataii, senior vice president of orthodontic support at Aspen Dental, has taken that one step (or should we say one leg) further when he talks about Motto Clear Aligners, offered at Aspen Dental.

“One, we needed education from the doctor’s perspective to not only be able to talk to patients about Motto as a treatment option, but then to be able to treat those patients efficiently and accurately,” explained Dr. Ataii. “Secondly, we needed software and a customized process that was truly our own and not from a third party. We worked to find true partners that would help us not just with manufacturing but with scaling at large across our network. Finally, we had to make it affordable for our patients. We had to ask ourselves: how do we make it so every patient walking through our doors can afford clear aligner therapy?”

Education: From Doctor to Patient

Aspen Dental takes clinician education seriously, making it a top priority. “Training our doctors is our number one priority.  Next to our patients, of course,” said Dr. Ataii. Just ask Dr. Simita Chikersal, an Aspen dentist and practice owner in Medford, MA.

“In the beginning, it was very daunting to start a procedure that I knew very little about,” said Dr. Chikersal. “I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Ataii as my mentor, who guided me throughout the process. The biggest takeaway from that was that case selection is the key. Dr. Ataii and the clinical support team made sure that I was planning the most predictable movements, so I’d have less chance of complications during the cases and less chances of refinement at the end of the treatment.”

All Aspen Dental doctors have access to Motto training at no additional cost. “By being part of Aspen Dental, doctors aren’t having to pay any additional costs for continuing education,” said Dr. Ataii. “They have access to some of the best educators in the industry at their fingertips.”

Software: Built-in Predictability

Software can make or break the success of a product or solution. Aspen Dental did not want to use a third-party process, so instead, the company created its own integrated software and aligner process. “We started from the ground up,” said Dr. Ataii.

“Creating AspenLabs along with the 3DTx software with built-in AI has yielded a better doctor and patient experience during their aligner journey. We’ve shown statistically that we’ve reduced our refinement rate by over 23%. It’s a big deal for us when you start to see that many patients on a scale we see.”

Scalability: Attention to the Details

That scalability Dr. Ataii mentioned when talking about the software ensures that all Aspen Dental practices can successfully offer Motto clear aligner therapy to their patients. Currently, Aspen Dental has 1,100+ offices welcoming 35,000 patients a day across the country. “On average, we have an office coming to market every 4 days,” said Dr. Ataii.

“How do we scale this?” Dr. Ataii asked, and then answered. “By putting together an entire clinical team of orthodontists and general practitioners who watch every case. We have clinicians and technicians looking over one case, with multiple touch points,” he said. “Not only orthodontists and general practitioners, but also AI software and an at-home monitoring process that patients are actively communicating with. We do not let our patients just fly on their own. We are watching and partnering with our offices and our patients to give them the best care.

“Let’s create our own ecosystem with streamlined processes,” Dr. Ataii emphasized. “By establishing our own high standards, clinicians can set clinical parameters and treatment plans, significantly reducing the delivery timeline. This includes our integration of same-day printing of the initial aligner so patients can start treatment immediately, all while maintaining reduced pricing. Our goal is to ensure that our patients fully benefit from the advancements in our technology.”

Affordability: Patient Needs Met

Affordability provides the key to access for many patients. If they can’t afford recommended treatment, most patients will say no. Aspen has helped to remove that barrier to clear aligner therapy.

“Not every patient can afford $5,000 or more for clear aligner therapy, and that’s not the way it should be,” said Dr. Ataii. “With the Motto system, we can offer affordability to every patient for half the price of what’s out there, while maintaining the quality our patients expect.”

A Winning Formula

“The gold standard in my practice is to provide comprehensive dental care to the patients,” said Dr. Chikersal. “For me, tooth movement is an extremely important part of it. By moving teeth, it has enabled me to convert complex and challenging cases into simple cases with more predictable outcomes.”

Motto has helped Dr. Chikersal grow professionally as well. “I have seen a lot of professional growth,” she said. “Patients see that they’re getting more comprehensive care in one location, which gives them an overall feeling that they’re in the right practice. I can see way more patients, do way fewer office visits, and run a much more efficient practice. It’s a win-win for me as a practice owner, as a clinician, and for my patients.”