How Outsourced Treatment Planning of Clear Aligners can Increase Chair Time Profitability

In today’s dental landscape, maximizing chair time is critical to running a profitable, efficient practice. For clinics offering clear aligner therapy, one of the most overlooked revenue leaks is the time spent on in-house treatment planning. That’s where outsourced aligner treatment planning comes in. Delegating this critical yet time-consuming task to specialized experts not only improves workflow efficiency but also increases chair time profitability. 

That’s where Craft Align steps in—offering expert aligner treatment planning, 3D virtual setups, and 3D print-ready STL files, so you can focus on what matters most: your patients.

The Hidden Costs of In-House Aligner Treatment Planning

On the surface, in-house treatment planning may seem cost-effective. But when you take a closer look, it can drain valuable time and resources:

• Time Investment: Planning a single aligner case can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on complexity.
• Learning Curve: Mastering 3D planning software and staying up to date with best practices requires continuous training and hands-on experience.
• Software Licensing Costs: Many 3D aligner planning platforms require costly subscriptions or per-case fees.
• Clinical Opportunity Cost: Every hour spent on planning is an hour not spent seeing patients, performing billable procedures, or expanding your patient base.

Let’s break this down with some simple math.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: In-House vs. Outsourced

Assume the following:

• Your chair time generates $400/hour through patient treatments.
• You spend 1.5 hours planning each aligner case in-house.
• You handle 10 aligner cases per month.

That’s 15 hours/month spent on planning, equating to $6,000/month in potential chair-side revenue lost.

Now, compare that to the cost of outsourcing treatment planning:

• Let’s say you pay $100 per case for expert aligner planning.
• For 10 cases, that’s $1,000/month.

Net savings? You reclaim 15 hours of high-value chair time and potentially increase monthly revenue by $5,000—not to mention reducing stress and enhancing treatment outcomes.

Clinical Quality and Confidence

Outsourced planning services are typically provided by experienced orthodontists and technicians who focus exclusively on aligner case design. This brings several advantages:

• Faster turnaround times on treatment plans.
• More predictable outcomes due to expert tooth movement strategies.
• Higher case acceptance rates from patients impressed with accurate 3D simulations.

By outsourcing, you ensure that each plan is not only faster to implement but also optimized for clinical efficiency—leading to fewer refinements and better patient satisfaction.

Focus on What You Do Best—Patient Care

Delegating aligner planning frees you and your team to focus on patient-facing activities:

• Improving patient communication and education.
• Conducting more consults and procedures.
• Building stronger long-term relationships.

The result? A practice that runs smoother, feels more personal to your patients, and grows sustainably.

When Is the Right Time to Outsource?

You should consider outsourcing aligner planning if:

• Your aligner case volume is growing.
• Your team is stretched thin.
• You’re spending too much time in software instead of with patients.
• You want to offer aligner therapy without the burden of complex digital setups.

What Craft Align Offers

Craft Align is more than a planning service—it’s a full-scope aligner case design solution tailored for modern practices. Our services include:

✅ Accurate Treatment Planning
Done by experienced professionals to minimize refinements and deliver clinically predictable outcomes.

✅ Quick Turnaround Time
Get your 3D virtual setup delivered within 24 hours of case submission.

✅ 3D Virtual Setup
High-quality simulations for case approval and patient visualization.

✅ 3D Print-Ready STL Files
Choose from:

• Solid or Hollow Models for thermoforming
• STL files for Direct Print Aligners (DPA)

Whether you manufacture in-house or through a lab, we provide everything you need to move directly to production.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing aligner treatment planning isn’t just about convenience—it’s a strategic business move. By delegating time-intensive digital planning to experts, you gain back valuable chair time, increase profitability, and elevate your patient experience. With our treatment planning, 3D virtual setups, and print-ready STL files, you can focus on delivering exceptional patient care while growing your aligner business more efficiently.

Looking to increase your chair time profitability?
Let our team of experienced treatment planners take care of your aligner cases so you can stay focused on what matters most—your patients.