Digital workflows are changing how dentists select, plan, monitor, and communicate clear aligner treatment. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis, private practice dentist and clear aligner educator, to discuss how digital workflow innovations are transforming aligner treatment in 2026.
You will learn how to evaluate aligner case complexity, monitor tracking and compliance, use auxiliary techniques, manage retention protocols, and think about aligners as part of a broader functional and preventive approach to dentistry. To understand how to make aligner workflows more predictable and practical in your practice, listen to Episode 1059 of The Best Practices Show!
Main Takeaways:
- Clear aligners have expanded from simple aesthetic cases to more complex Class II, Class III, surgical, and multidisciplinary treatment plans.
- Case selection should include evaluation of occlusion, arch form, profile, crossbites, growth status, recession, and bone support.
- CBCT, STL files, and complete diagnostic records give doctors better control and confidence when planning aligner treatment.
- Monitoring appointments should focus on aligner fit, attachment integrity, tracking gaps, programmed IPR, and occlusal contacts.
- Patient compliance remains essential because aligners generally require 22 hours of daily wear.
- Auxiliary techniques such as buttons, elastics, TADs, and bootstrap mechanics can improve movement predictability in moderate and severe cases.
- Retention protocols should account for occlusal stability and patient compliance, especially when deciding between clear retainers and lingual wires.
Snippets:
00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro
02:11 Meet Dr Mari Jose
03:14 Aligners In 2026
05:24 Case Selection Basics
06:55 Monitoring And Tracking
10:37 Doctor Coaching Support
11:13 Micronutrients And Compliance
13:03 Retainers And Stability
14:45 Aux Techniques And Elastics
16:32 Posterior Open Bite Causes
18:24 Retainer Wear Schedule
19:52 Future Of Aligner Care
22:20 Final Tips And Records
23:14 Contact Info And Spark
24:28 The Exchange Event Preview
25:00 Final thoughts on case selection, auxiliary techniques, and live case alignment.
Guest Bio/Guest Resources:
Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis is a dentist in private practice in San Jose, Costa Rica. She has worked with clear aligner therapy through Invisalign and Spark and focuses on digital dentistry, aligner workflow, case selection, clinical monitoring, and doctor education.
In this episode, she discusses Spark, Vista aligners, TruGen XR material, one-on-one clinical support, and her upcoming presentation at Smile Exchange on case selection, clinical complexity, auxiliary techniques, and live case review.
Resources mentioned:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
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