ClearCorrect: Specializing in Smiles
Nearly invisible, comfortable, and removable, ClearCorrect aligners position teeth in a continuous gentle force for controlled, single-tooth movement
ClearCorrect was founded in 2006 based on necessity. A dentist had a need to finish treatment on 400 of his patients and no aligner manufacturer to complete the job, so ClearCorrect began. Now backed by Straumann Group with more than 6 decades in scientific research, ClearCorrect has grown into one of the market leaders in the industry. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Straumann had already purchased a number of other companies specializing in corrective and digital dentistry, including Neodent, Medentika, and Dental Wings.
With the acquisition of ClearCorrect in 2017, Straumann was able to expand its holistic approach in orthodontics by offering not only a quality product, but also total solutions with training, research, support, and labs around the world. With the Straumann Group’s experience in tooth replacement and aesthetic dentistry, ClearCorrect has been able to leverage the power of the Straumann Group and expand production capabilities all over the world.
Today, ClearCorrect has served tens of thousands of clinicians treating millions of patients worldwide. “Through it all, we’ve made it our priority to listen to our providers, and to put their needs first,” the company website states. “That’s what’s kept us in business for over 15 years, and that’s how we know we’ll always be here.”
How It Works
The development of clear aligners for which ClearCorrect is best known resulted from a need to correct the most common malocclusions. Some of the advantages offered by ClearCorrect are a nearly invisible, stain-resistant aligner, with a higher trimline to improve retention and reduce the number of attachments needed to correct treatment.1
ClearCorrect straightens teeth using ClearQuartz, an advanced tri-layer material that optimizes force retention while being comfortable for the patient. The aligners are made with direct input from the clinician, who shares digital or traditional impressions, patient photographs, and radiographs. This data, plus a prescription for the custom-made aligners, is sent to ClearCorrect for processing.
Uses an Open Platform
“ClearCorrect uses an open platform so I have access to and control over the data, which is not the case with other aligner providers,” explained Michael Cohen, DDS, whose practice, Lakeside Family Dental, is in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. “The fact that they’re an open platform means submitting records is a smooth process and the software is simple to use.”
At the lab, a digital 3D model of the patient’s teeth is created. From there, the technician maps out a complete treatment setup with a gradual realignment that will ultimately reposition the teeth from their current placement to where they should end up, based on the prescription from the treating clinician.
Treatment Setup
Next, a treatment setup (a computerized representation of a patient’s teeth) is created and sent to the treating clinician for review and approval. After the clinician approves the case, custom aligners are then created in the manufacturing facility in Texas.
Total treatment time can vary, depending on the specific condition being treated and the degree of misalignment.
Three Treatment Plans
Three treatment plans are available: Flex, One, and Unlimited. Flex is for simple cases, with a per-aligner fee. One covers up to 1 year of treatment. The Unlimited treatment plan offers unlimited steps and revisions for 5 years.
Pricing Flexibility
Dr. Cohen believes another benefit to moving to ClearCorrect aligners is the pricing flexibility.
“ClearCorrect’s pricing flexibility makes it more affordable for patients than other similar products,” he explained. “In addition, the retainers that are provided at the end of the treatment process are included in the price of most cases, which is an added benefit,” he continued.
Clear Aligner Popularity
As one of the fastest growing sectors in orthodontics, clear aligners address all types of malocclusion from cross bites, spacing issues, edge-to-edge bites, crowding, excessive overjet, open bite, midline shift, to deep bite.
ClearCorrect has benefited from a broader understanding and acceptance of clear aligners, as well as social media posts that showcase both before and after results.
“ClearCorrect has experienced rapid growth,” said Christophe Carsault, Vice President of Orthodontics for Straumann Group, “leaving us poised to help doctors in our provider network evolve and thrive as the industry shifts toward greater adoption of clear aligners.”
ClearCorrect has continued to evolve and push the boundaries, with recent launches of clinical and practice growth tools to help clinicians provide a better patient experience and help grow their practice.
10-Day Turnaround
In 2021, the company also announced faster turnaround, specifically cutting case approval to shipping down to just 10 days. “I’m also impressed with the overall speed at which we are able to get the aligners, which is a definite plus for patients, because once they’ve agreed to treatment, they don’t want to wait for it,” Dr. Cohen added.
The goal is to allow clinicians to provide their patients with treatment faster than ever before, and with pinpoint accuracy for the most effective treatment. One of the main drivers for this change was the shift in COVID-19 protocol with vaccinations widely available and mask mandates being lifted in parts of the country.
More Treatment Requests
“People are telling me they can’t wait to smile again,” said Jennifer Derse, DDS, Founder of Espire Dental and a ClearCorrect prescriber. “My practices have seen a significant increase in the number of appointments for teeth straightening as people take steps to make sure their smile is ready for the post-mask world. ClearCorrect’s commitment to a rapid turnaround time helps us get patients quickly into clear aligners, so that they can remove their mask with the confi dence of a healthy new smile.”
“ClearCorrect was founded by a dentist, harnessing innovation in order to equip clinicians to better meet the needs of their patients,” explained Carsault. “This mandate has always been central to our vision. As more and more North Americans choose clear aligners, we understand the importance of rapid delivery so that they are able to quickly see results and achieve an improved smile.”
Carsault said he believes that by committing to a 10-day manufacturing turnaround time, ClearCorrect is once again raising the bar in the industry, addressing a concern among patients, and helping these patients see results.
Material Toughness
ClearCorrect’s popularity with clinicians and patients starts with the material. ClearQuartz, ClearCorrect’s state-of-the-art aligner material, is optimized for clarity and features 3 layers. It has 2 low-porosity outer layers and an elastic inner layer. The outer layers provide exceptional stain resistance and the elastic inner layer allows the aligner to be remarkably comfortable for the patient.
Overall, ClearCorrect aligners are comfortable, durable, and provide sustained force, great clarity, and excellent tooth adaptation. They are very fl exible with an outstanding tear resistance.
“Since doing cases with the ClearQuartz material, I have witnessed incredible results, and the patient response has been overwhelming,” said Dr. Jeff Briney. “Although I never had negative feedback about the previous material, the patients that got to experience both materials made comments about how much more comfortable the new aligners are.”
ClearCorrect aligners being sold today are engineered in the United States at the Center for Excellence in Texas where they are made from material optimized for stress retention and clarity and designed to resist stains and cracks. The benefit of being made from polyurethane helps support trim lines to achieve even the most challenging movements. Before the aligners are even sent out, each one is inspected and laser marked to ensure traceability.
Millions of Patients Worldwide
ClearCorrect boasts the largest single-site array of Stratasys 3D printers in the world, each one churning out custom CAD/CAM-designed aligners for millions of patients.
What makes a ClearCorrect aligner stand out is its smooth, unscalloped trim line that extends past the gingival margin. Research shows that aligners trimmed with this technique are significantly more retentive than scalloped aligners, reducing the need for attachments.¹
Having fewer attachments means the aligners will fi t the teeth tighter, resulting in better esthetics and results—and happier patients.
Dedicated to Doctor Support and Success
In the same way ClearCorrect is laser-focused on quality control, the company also employs a support team to answer clinicians’ questions. The company also provides live workshops, e-courses, and free online articles to dental clients.
An Exceptional Educational Platform
“ClearCorrect’s education platform is exceptional—the company’s continuing education program is designed to develop doctor skill sets and offer us the support we need to be successful,” Dr. Cohen added. “Just like any new skill, fitting aligners requires time to develop. The education team at ClearCorrect provides excellent training. Their ultimate goal is that we achieve the best results. The ClearCorrect customer service team has also impressed us,” he continued.
“Our experience with ClearCorrect has been flawless,” said Dr. Briney. “Every time I get on the chat or on the phone, the customer support is just overwhelming.”
Dr. Melissa Shotell added, “Everybody works as a team...pulling together for the doctors...to make sure they are getting the service they need so that we can be there for our patients.”
References
1. Cowley DP, Mah J, O’Toole B. The effect of gingival-margin design on the retention of thermoformed aligners. J Clin Ortho. 2012;46(11):697–702.
