Every summer dental practices face a familiar challenge: high interest in starting clear aligner treatment, followed by inconsistent patient availability due to travel or the start of a new academic year. Patients are excited to begin, but hesitant or unable to return for routine monitoring visits.
Several years ago, our practice began integrating remote monitoring into our aligner workflow to address precisely this issue. Initially, our goal was simple: maintain continuity of care when patients couldn’t be physically present. Over time, however, we found that remote monitoring not only preserved treatment progress. In many cases it improved progress, streamlining visits and reducing refinement rates. For practices interested in offering modern ortho treatment with fewer disruptions, this technology offers a compelling advantage.
Remote monitoring allows patients to submit intraoral scans from their home, dorm, or even while traveling. Most systems rely on a smartphone app paired with a cheek retractor. Patients in active treatment should capture scan data on a weekly or semiweekly basis. Scans are then compared against the original treatment plan using AI. The software identifies whether teeth are tracking appropriately, detects poor aligner fit, and flags cases that require clinical review. And with Clear Blue Smiles these scans are reviewed by an expert orthodontist to ensure the same level of oversight we would expect in person.
Data-Backed Improvements
For patients, the experience is highly convenient. For clinicians, clinical reliability is what truly matters. And the data continues to support its use!
How It Helps Patients
Several studies have evaluated the precision of remote monitoring platforms. Tooth position measurements generated from smartphone scans have shown deviations within 0.5 mm of intraoral scanner outputs (well within the margin considered clinically acceptable by the American Board of Orthodontics). In terms of overall outcomes, remote monitoring leads to fewer in-office appointments, shorter treatment timelines, and comparable rates of aligner tracking and refinements. In one published cohort, the use of remote monitoring resulted in a 33% reduction in visits and a shorter average time to mid-treatment course correction compared to traditional monitoring.
Remote monitoring is especially well-suited for adult and adolescent patients undergoing mild to moderate clear aligner treatment. Patients who travel frequently, relocate seasonally, or transition to college mid-treatment are excellent candidates. In our practice, we typically begin treatment with an in-person scan and aligner delivery. From there, patients shift to remote monitoring, with the assurance that we can proactively address red flags like poor aligner fit or lagging compliance. Many of our college-aged patients successfully complete treatment while living out of state, returning only for refinements or final records.
How It Helps Practices
We’ve also seen benefits on the practice management side. Fewer routine appointments reduce the strain on chair time and staff, so we can redirect resources to new patient consultations or procedures requiring in-person care. Patients appreciate the flexibility, and our clinical team appreciates the ability to monitor more cases without adding to their workload.
One major advantage of remote monitoring is its ability to support effective delegation within the dental team. With the right training and protocols in place, much of the ongoing monitoring can be handled by a well-prepared assistant or treatment coordinator. Team members can be responsible for evaluating patient progress, identifying early signs of poor compliance, and reviewing scan reports to flag deviations in aligner fit or movement. It’s a great way to extend the doctor’s clinical oversight without consuming chair time.
Of course, remote monitoring is not appropriate for every case. More complex tooth movements, mixed dentition, or situations requiring regular interproximal reduction may warrant in-office evaluations. But for a significant subset of patients, especially during high-disruption seasons like summer, it allows for high-quality care with few logistical challenges.
Implementing Remote Monitoring
For practices that are just beginning to explore clear aligners – or those looking to expand their orthodontic services – remote monitoring offers a clear entry point. Platforms are increasingly user-friendly and cost-effective. With clinical partners like Clear Blue Smiles, practices can offload much of the day-to-day monitoring while retaining full visibility into your patients’ progress. We created this model to prioritize a balance between access, efficiency, and clinical control.
The workflow for remote monitoring is surprisingly straightforward. After an initial in-person scan and aligner delivery, patients receive instructions for capturing and submitting remote scans. Once scans are uploaded, the clinical team reviews them, checks for tracking issues, and determines whether the patient can move to their next tray. With defined roles, the system becomes very efficient – so you can manage more aligner cases without disrupting your daily schedule.
Ultimately, the goal is to maintain treatment integrity, even when life takes our patients elsewhere. Remote monitoring allows us to do just that, successfully delivering high-quality care no matter where the summer leads!