What We've Learned from Building Our Own Successful Clear Aligner Business

At Eon Dental when we say that we provide our clients with a blueprint for success, we mean it. This blueprint is the result of launching and growing our own clear aligner brand in the MENA region - Eon Aligner. In the last 12 months, we have become the fastest-growing and the second-largest clear aligner brand in the region. The journey of Eon Aligner in the clear aligner market epitomizes continuous growth, resilience, and a deep understanding of consumer needs. Today's version of Eon Aligner is the result of an obsession around drastically and continuously improving the customer experience.  We have been constantly learning and growing through this iterative approach and being very close to both our customers and the industry as well. Eon Aligner's story is not just about manufacturing and delivering aligners; it's about reshaping what a clear aligner provider should be; A true practice partner that  supports dentists clinically and commercially, enhancing and expediting their journey towards unlocking more success with aligners. This blog post unpacks the valuable insights we've garnered over the years and how Eon Dental, the mother company of Eon Aligner, leverages this expertise to propel the success and growth of our white-label partners.

Understanding the Clear Aligner Market

In the past decade, the clear aligner market has undergone a significant transformation. Driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences, clear aligners have emerged as a preferred choice for orthodontic treatment. The demand for aesthetic, comfortable, and convenient orthodontic solutions has soared, especially among Millennials and Gen Z consumers. They value not just the end result but the entire treatment experience - from the initial consultation to the final smile reveal. At Eon Dental, our market strategy has always been about understanding these evolving demands and developing our offering, products, and services accordingly.

How to Start a Clear Aligner Business? 

The growth in the clear aligner industry brings with it the challenge of increased competition. As such, starting a clear aligner business requires a strategic approach encompassing market research, operational excellence, product development, and brand positioning. At Eon Dental we figured this out the hard way; through a decade of experience and adjusting to market and industry changes. That’s why we created a blueprint for success that we transfer to any ofany of of our clients looking to start or grow their clear aligner business. 

Building a Successful Clear Aligner Brand: Lessons from Eon Aligner 

Eon Dental's Blueprint for Success:

The trajectory of Eon Aligner is built on a foundation of innovative strategies and core philosophies. Key among these has been our emphasis on quality, clinical results,customer satisfaction and experience. We've learned that success in this market is not just about selling a product; it's about offering a solution that resonates with both the dentist and the end-user. Our approach has been three-pronged: being a clinical-first organization, marketing efficiently to patients and dentists as well as building strong, trusting relationships with our dentists. 

Pre-Launch Strategies

Before launching a clear aligner brand, several critical steps must be considered. Assembling a clinical team with expertise in orthodontics and clear aligner technology is paramount. To save on overheads, brands usually hire a few senior team members and outsource the rest to their manufacturing provider as is the case with many Eon Dental clients.

It is also vital to integrate advanced technology products that set your clear aligner business apart. You need to offer cutting-edge tools like a doctor portal and a state-of-the-art 3D Treatment Viewer. The doctor portal serves as a centralized hub for case management, facilitating efficient communication and organization. Meanwhile, a 3D Treatment Viewer with 3D controls allows for precise visualization of treatment plans, offering both practitioners and patients a clear understanding of the treatment journey ahead. Incorporating these software features early on is essential. It optimizes operational efficiency and positions your brand as a competitor in the clear aligner field.

At Eon Dental, we offer these technology products and more to our clients, saving them significant time and money on developing these softwares in-house. 
If you are offering clear aligners to doctors, then start by positioning your brand, build your USPs (Unique selling points), and have a trained on-the-ground sales team to market your aligners as well as build relationships with doctors. Additionally, creating a robust marketing plan and establishing a compelling brand identity is crucial for market penetration and differentiation. Eon Dental aids its clients in these pre-launch phases with a comprehensive range of services, including sales enablement, branding, and strategic planning. For an understanding of the services Eon Dental offers its clients in this stage, reach out to us. 

Launch and Growth Phases

The launch and initial growth stages are paramount for the success of your clear aligner business. While effective marketing lays the foundation, a holistic approach encompassing scaling up, clinical & commercial operations, go-to-market strategies, and leveraging data is crucial. At Eon Dental, we provide a comprehensive suite of tools and services to cover these key areas.

‍The Foundation: Laying the Groundwork with Marketing

To launch your brand, you should build on the branding and marketing initiatives to develop marketing materials, social media posts, email campaigns, well-thought-out messaging to your sales team, and more. Our experience with Eon Aligner has underscored the importance of well-informed and engaging marketing strategies in attracting and retaining customers. To learn more about our medical device marketing recommendations, check out our thought piece here.

Education: The Key to Growth and Retention

Education strategies are critical for both growth and retention. Continuous education of your team and doctors about the benefits and processes of clear aligners ensures sustained interest and trust in your services. With Eon Aligner's extensive experience, we have developed educational materials and events resources that encompass the latest in clinical protocols and knowledge. We offer these resources to our clients to help upskill their teams and increase utilization, fostering a sense of community and continuous learning.

Clinical Excellence: The Cornerstone of Your Business

High-quality clinical services are central to the success of any clear aligner business, and this includes providing robust clinical support, ensuring that the clear aligners are not just aesthetically pleasing but also effective and safe. For example, you can provide your doctors with consultations by a doctor that offers a variety of support topics and clinical guidance . This support is crucial in navigating the challenges of clinical operations, especially as your business scales up. 

Sales and Customer Success: Expanding the Narrative

A solid sales strategy, coupled with a strong customer success framework, is vital. This dual approach ensures not only the expansion of your customer base but also enhances satisfaction and retention. 

Data-Driven Decisions: Crafting the Future

In today's digital age, leveraging data for business decisions is non-negotiable. Eon Dental helps clients understand and utilize metrics and analytics to guide their strategies, from marketing to clinical practices. This data-driven approach allows for more precise decision-making. This involves understanding your userbase performance, directing your attention to what needs focus, and eliminating the guessing from the equation. This is a critical guide to your overall execution and operations, we simply call it: Iterating or eliminating what doesn’t work and doubling down on what does. .

As your business grows, these elements collectively contribute to a robust and sustainable clear aligner operational framework . Eon Dental stands ready to support you in each of these areas, ensuring your business not only launches successfully but continues to thrive and evolve.

Maintaining Momentum

To sustain the growth of your clear aligner business, ongoing clinical initiatives are essential. These initiatives could include continuous training for your team, staying updated with the latest advancements in clear aligner technology, and implementing best practices in patient care.

Utilizing metrics and dashboards is crucial for monitoring growth and identifying areas for improvement. At Eon Dental, we leverage insights and data to help our clients make informed decisions that foster continuous improvement.

Our ongoing support at Eon Dental is designed to assist you in every step of your journey. From clinical advice to business strategy, we're here to ensure your growth never loses momentum.

Ready to Take Your Clear Aligner Business to the Next Level?

Drawing from the success of Eon Aligner, we invite you to apply these lessons to your business. Our journey has been filled with learning experiences that can propel our partners’ businesses to new heights.

Explore partnerships and solutions with Eon Dental. Let us join hands to revolutionize orthodontic care with our clear aligner solutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of establishing a successful clear aligner business is multifaceted, involving market understanding, strategic planning, effective marketing,  data-driven decision making and continuous growth efforts. Remember, the success of Eon Aligner is a testament to the efficacy of these strategies.

We encourage you to connect with Eon Dental for further guidance and support. Together, let's create a future where every smile is a testament to quality, care, and excellence.