1059: How Digital Workflow Innovations Are Transforming Aligner Treatment in 2026 - Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis — The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

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:

mariajose.blanco@envistaco.com
Discount code for the smile exchange: JOSEBLANCO26
https://smilesource.com/exchange

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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