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How to get more clear aligner patients: a plan for dental practice teams

A front desk team member at a dental practice handles a new patient call

Callers asking a dental practice about clear aligners often have the same few questions: what it costs, how it works and whether they are a candidate. This guide is for dental and orthodontic practice owners and front desk teams. It covers what to know about the device, how to handle the first call, how to talk about monthly payments, and how to measure aligner cases on their own.

  1. SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
  2. Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
  3. Call or formThey call or send a request.
  4. Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
  5. Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.
How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Know what the device is, and who decides candidacy

FDA classifies sequential aligners as Class II devices under the orthodontic plastic bracket regulation (21 CFR 872.5470, product code NXC), cleared through the 510(k) process. FDA’s product description says the device “moves the teeth by continuous gentle force for treatment of minor tooth malocclusion” and that digital scans of the patient’s teeth are used to make a series of plastic appliances. FDA’s 2025 clearance letter for one widely used aligner system, for example, marks it for prescription use under 21 CFR 801 Subpart D.

For the front desk, that has a simple consequence: whether a caller is a good fit, how long treatment may take and what it will cost are decided by the dentist or orthodontist after an exam and records, not on the phone. Train the team to say so plainly and to book the visit.

2. Answer the questions callers ask on the first call

Write short, approved answers to the questions your callers ask most, and keep them where the team can see them. Typical ones:

  • “How much does it cost?” Give your practice’s usual range if your dentist has approved one, and explain that the exact fee depends on the exam and the treatment plan.
  • “Am I a candidate?” The dentist decides after an exam; the visit is how they find out.
  • “How long does it take?” It depends on the case; the dentist will estimate it after the exam.
  • “What happens at the first visit?” Describe your own process, for example an exam, photos and a digital scan.
  • “What happens after treatment?” Explain your practice’s retainer and follow-up approach, as your dentist describes it.
  • “Do you offer payment plans?” Describe the options you actually offer, without quoting terms you cannot confirm (see section 4).

Our new patient phone script has a call structure you can adapt.

3. Make the consultation a clear next step

Some people asking about aligners are comparing practices. Offer two or three specific times, confirm by text or email if the patient agreed to that, and tell them what to bring and how long the visit takes. After the consultation, give them a written summary of the plan, the fee and the payment options, so they can decide without pressure. The guide on consultation to treatment covers this step in more detail.

4. Monthly payment ads have their own rules

Some practices promote aligners with a monthly figure. If an advertisement for credit states certain terms, the federal Truth in Lending rules on credit advertising (Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.24) require more disclosures. The rule lists these “triggering terms”:

  • the amount or percentage of any downpayment;
  • the number of payments or period of repayment;
  • the amount of any payment;
  • the amount of any finance charge.

An ad that states one of them must also state, as applicable, the downpayment, the terms of repayment and the annual percentage rate, using that term. The rule also says an ad may state only terms that are actually available. So a line like “aligners from $99 a month” is not just a price; it can bring in these disclosures. If you work with a financing company, ask it for approved ad wording and have counsel review it. Our guide on patient financing covers how to offer payment options responsibly.

5. Show results honestly

Smile photos are patient information. Get written authorization before you publish them and present them accurately; our guide on before-and-after photos explains how. Claims about speed or results need support: the FTC’s Health Products Compliance Guidance says health-related claims must be backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Avoid promising a set result or treatment time in ads, and say that the dentist will assess each case.

6. Follow up, because some people take time to decide

  • Answer new requests quickly; our guide on speed to lead explains why.
  • Follow up after the consultation on a set schedule, with a clear way to say no.
  • Text only with the right consent; see texting patients and the TCPA.
  • Record the outcome of every request, so you know which ones are still open.

7. Measure aligner cases separately

Aligner cases have a different fee, decision time and source mix from general dentistry, so track them on their own: requests, consultations held, cases started, and the source of each. Then you can compare the cost per new patient for aligners across channels. Our guide on tracking where new patients come from shows a simple way to set this up.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends dental practices requests from people asking about elective treatments such as clear aligners or implants near them. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent to be contacted by that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request. Dental requests are not offered in every state, so check your area when you apply.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more clear aligner patients?

Answer requests quickly, give callers approved answers on cost and the first visit, make the consultation a clear next step, follow up on a set schedule, and track aligner cases separately so you know which channels bring them.

Can the front desk tell a caller if they are a candidate for aligners?

No. The dentist or orthodontist decides candidacy, timing and fees after an exam, and FDA’s clearance for a widely used aligner system marks it for prescription use. The front desk’s job is to book that visit.

Can we advertise aligners at a monthly price?

You can, but a monthly payment amount is a triggering term under Regulation Z (12 CFR 1026.24), so the ad must also state the downpayment, the repayment terms and the annual percentage rate, as applicable. Check the wording with your financing company and counsel.

Can we promise a treatment time in our ads?

Avoid it. Treatment time depends on the case, and the FTC expects health-related claims to be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Say that the dentist will assess each case.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check federal rules, state law and your dental board’s advertising rules with counsel. Last reviewed October 2026.

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