Speed Up Aligner Treatment with Add-On Bite Ramps
Anterior bite ramps can make ClearCorrect aligner treatments faster and more comfortable for patients, while increasing treatment efficiency for clinicians
Patients and clinicians look at dental treatments from 2 different perspectives, but they overwhelming agree on one critical point: they both want the process to be fast and efficient. A recently launched add-on feature to ClearCorrect clear aligner therapy can go a long way toward making that happen.
ClearCorrect now offers bite ramps as an add-on feature to its clear aligner treatment method. Similar to engagers, yet not filled with composite, bite ramps are thermoformed protrusions in the aligner that hold the arches out of occlusion. As a result, bite ramps prevent the opposing arch from interfering with the tooth movements needed to treat deep bites and crossbites.
Marco Pinto, DMD, whose practice area is in Melbourne and South Orlando, FL, finds the recent addition of bite ramps to the ClearCorrect treatment method to be particularly helpful in his clear aligner workflow.
“Trying to open a bite by just using aligners or braces without a bite ramp is very challenging,” Dr. Pinto explained. “When we have a patient with different conditions such as a deep bite, the bite ramps allow us to unlock the occlusion so the aligners can move the teeth more efficiently.”
Here’s How It Works:
Bite ramps work by creating premature contact in the anterior region, which then takes the posterior teeth out of occlusion and removes unwanted posterior bite forces, paving the way for other corrections to proceed.
“These ClearCorrect bite ramps allow the treatment to be much more efficient—it’s a lot faster, probably about 20-30% faster—and more comfortable for the patient,” Dr. Pinto explained. “I’ve found that patients are impressed with this and they like the fact that the treatment takes less time and is more efficient—it’s definitely a win-win situation.”
“It’s a lot faster, probably about 20-30% faster— and more comfortable for the patient.”
- Marco Pinto, DMD
The ClearCorrect clear aligner system now offers anterior bite ramps, which can be placed lingually in the upper anterior region on some or all central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. These anterior bite ramps are thermoformed into the aligner and don’t require bonding or other methods to apply.
“The majority of my bite ramp patients are those with adult intrusion with deep bites,” Dr. Pinto shared. “Patients like the fact that they don’t feel so locked in because occlusion is very tight in deep bites and it can feel like there’s very little freedom of movement, but the bite ramps give the patient a feeling of being more free.”
Superior Material Quality
Having used ClearCorrect clear aligners for 5 years, Dr. Pinto believes it’s the quality of the aligners that has cemented his loyalty to the brand.
“I think the biggest reason is the quality of the materials,” he explained. “ClearCorrect aligners are made of a multilayer material that is extremely clear and resistant to breakage and stains.”
Made of a state-of-the-art, third-generation material called ClearQuartz, ClearCorrect aligners are flexible yet strong, and can withstand sustained force. Their unique unscalloped trim line extends past the gingival margin, providing reduced need for attachments and a more comfortable fit for patients.
New Treatment Software
Treatment includes the newly released ClearPilot 5.0 web-based, user-friendly treatment planning software, which features Bolton analysis tables and charts, tooth movement charts, and collision values monitoring and alerts for more accurate treatment assessments. Additionally, ClearPilot 5.0 offers powerful editing tools for group tooth movements, a comprehensive 3D visual interface for personalized treatment outcomes, and digital treatment plannings to help increase patient engagement.
Unmatched Education & Customer Support
“I have used other clear aligner companies in the past, but I had issues with shipping and missing orders,” Dr. Pinto shared. “Plus, the communication was not very good, and that’s why I switched to ClearCorrect. I’ve never looked back.”
Renowned for its comprehensive educational programs and support, ClearCorrect offers Ortho Campus, a collection of tools and curriculum that ensures successful patient outcomes with webinars, in-person courses, and e-learning resources, as well as an online help center and a doctor portal that allows practices to share challenging cases with other dentists.
“Straumann has invested in a lot of research and development into ClearCorrect aligner treatment, and I find the product keeps getting better every year—it feels like every year there is something new and improved!” Dr. Pinto concluded.
