Young Specialties’ Trevor Hansen explains how the company builds its orthodontic product portfolio, selects innovative partners, and supports practices with patient-focused solutions and strategic distributor value.
As orthodontic practices continue to navigate shifting patient expectations, expanding product options, and greater demand for efficient workflows, the role of a distributor has evolved far beyond simple product fulfillment. Today’s distributors are becoming strategic partners—helping practices access innovation, streamline ordering, and integrate patient-centric solutions that enhance both care and efficiency. To better understand how one major player is approaching this transformation, Orthodontic Products spoke with Trevor Hansen, the senior category manager for orthodontics at Young Specialties.
In this conversation, Hansen details how Young has built a curated portfolio that blends exclusive brands with leading industry names, including recent additions such as OrthoNu and OrVance. He breaks down the company’s criteria for selecting new partners, the growing importance of patient-facing products, and the feedback orthodontists are sharing about what they need most from distributors today. He also offers insight into how Young’s strategy is shifting to better support orthodontic practices in a rapidly changing market.
Orthodontic Products: Young Innovations has built a strong distribution presence in orthodontics. Can you walk us through the key orthodontic brands currently represented by Young Specialties?
Trevor Hansen: At Young Specialties, we’re proud to offer a curated portfolio of orthodontic products that combines exclusive brands with top-tier names in the industry.
Our exclusive brands include brands such as ORAPRO, a trusted name for high-quality orthodontic instruments, brackets, and wires, Young Specialties, which has a variety of high-quality auxiliary products such as our elastomeric ties and chains, as well as other historic brands such as OrthoQuest, Ortho Specialties, The Orthodontic Store, and Plak Smacker that offer a wide variety of products for both an orthodontic office and a patient.
In addition to these exclusive lines, we’re continuously expanding our portfolio to include other leading brands in the space. We have brought on other brands such as Platypus, known for its unique orthodontic flossers, Retainer Brite, a go-to solution for retainer cleaning, Leone, a well-known brand for rapid palatal expanders, among others. Most recently we have brought on OrthoNu’s complete product line, a cutting-edge oral wellness product as well as OrVance’s Aligner Pontics. And we are continually on the hunt for innovative orthodontic companies we can partner with to help increase access to their brands and solutions.
OP: How does Young decide which orthodontic product lines or companies to partner with for distribution? What factors are most important?
Hansen: At Young Innovations, our approach to partnerships is guided by a commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and customer value. When evaluating potential product lines or companies for distribution, we focus on several key factors:
- Clinical Relevance and Innovation: We look for products that solve real problems for orthodontic professionals and their patients—whether through improved outcomes, enhanced efficiency, or better patient experience. Brands like OrthoNu exemplify this with their forward-thinking solutions that look to improve the patient experience and solve pain points of both patients and offices.
- Quality and Reliability: Every product we distribute must meet high standards for consistency, safety, and performance. We prioritize companies that share our dedication to quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
- Market Demand and Differentiation: We assess whether a product fills a gap in the market or offers a unique advantage over existing solutions. This helps us ensure our portfolio remains both comprehensive and differentiated.
- Strategic Fit: We seek partners whose values and long-term vision align with ours. We aim to build relationships that support mutual growth.
- Customer Feedback: We actively listen to our customers—orthodontists, assistants, and office managers—to understand what products they trust and what innovations they’re excited about. Their input plays a major role in shaping our portfolio.
Ultimately, our goal is to offer a best-in-class selection of orthodontic products that empower practices to deliver exceptional care. By combining exclusive brands with top industry names, we ensure our customers have access to the tools and solutions they need to succeed.
OP: The OrthoNu partnership adds a patient-facing product line to your portfolio. What drew Young to this particular company and its approach to orthodontic self-care?
Hansen: Young Innovations has a long history of delivering patient-facing and home-care solutions, so adding a product line like OrthoNu’s fits naturally into our broader strategy of addressing oral health at every stage and supporting care both in the office and at home. What really drew us to OrthoNu specifically was their unique ability to identify real challenges patients face during orthodontic treatment and translate those into simple, effective solutions. Their patient-centered approach to self-care not only complements our existing portfolio but also enhances the overall treatment experience in a way that benefits both patients and providers. Additionally, we liked that many of OrthoNu’s products have applicability beyond just orthodontics and connect with other areas at Young. For example, many of our periodontists and endodontist customers are liking OrthoNu’s Comfort Tape and Chillin’ Strips to help relieve pain and discomfort post procedure.
OP: How do you see the addition of OrthoNu’s products impacting the practices you work with, both from a clinical and business standpoint?
Hansen: From a clinical perspective, OrthoNu puts a fresh focus on oral wellness during orthodontic treatment by offering innovative tools that help patients manage discomfort and improve their overall experience. I’ve personally been using several of the products during my aligner treatment—for example, using my Tweakz to smooth some rough aligner tray edges or to take out my aligners which can be difficult at times since I have a lot of attachments. I have also utilized the OrthoChewz to help seat my aligners and reduce the increased dry mouth I am experiencing. Having gone through the first few months of treatment without these tools, I can confidently say they’ve made my journey noticeably smoother.
That translates directly into practice benefits on the business side. Today’s patients want more than just great outcomes—they also expect a positive treatment experience. Practices that provide OrthoNu products, whether as a starter kit or as recommended add-ons, can differentiate themselves by meeting those expectations. Some have even raised treatment fees by bundling the kit at the start of treatment, creating new revenue opportunities. In addition, products like Tweakz can help reduce emergency visits, which improves scheduling efficiency and saves valuable chair time.
OP: Young has long served general dental practices, but how has the company’s strategy evolved in recent years specifically for the orthodontic market?
Hansen: Young has had a presence in the ortho home care segment since 1999 when it acquired Plak Smacker which focused on orthodontic patient aids. More recently, Young acquired a series of orthodontic distributors including The Orthodontic Super Store, OrthoQuest, and Ortho Specialties. Those acquisitions grew our customer base in the orthodontic segment. With OrthoNu, we see a compelling opportunity to move back to our roots with patient home care while also leveraging our recently acquired and built-up base of orthodontist specialists. Additionally, we see a long runway of potential with respect to clinically relevant take-home products in other dental specialty segments as well so our intent is to continue to invest in solutions that keep the patient’s health and comfort as a top priority which extends beyond the dental chair.
OP: What feedback do you receive from orthodontists about what they need from a distributor today, and how is Young Innovations responding to those needs?
Hansen: What we have heard from many orthodontists is that they want more than just product delivery. Having competitive pricing and quality products, that’s often table stakes now. Many offices are looking for distributors that understand their clinical needs, streamline their purchasing experience, and bring value beyond the transaction. Below are some of the things we have heard about and where we are investing.
- Access to Innovation. Many practices are eager to stay ahead of the curve with new technologies and patient-centric solutions. We’re responding by expanding our portfolio to include innovative brands like OrthoNu and are constantly looking for additional innovative companies to partner with.
- Convenience and Efficiency. Time is a premium in any practice. Orthodontists are asking for simplified ordering, faster shipping, and responsive customer service. We’re investing in improving our digital ordering platforms, fulfillment processes, and support teams to make working with Young as seamless as possible.
- Education and Support. While new innovations can bring huge long-term benefits to practices, change can also bring short-term struggles as practices learn and adopt new products. Young understands this and is investing heavily in educating our sales team to help offices adopt these new innovations. We are also investing heavily in educating the overall community through our education platform. For example, with the launch of OrthoNu, you’ll see webinars and education events designed to help offices understand and implement these products in their practices.
Ultimately, our goal is to be a strategic partner to orthodontic practices—one that listens, adapts, and delivers solutions that help them grow and thrive. The feedback is invaluable, and it continues to shape how we evolve our offerings and service. We are continuing to invest in new processes and technology to make it easier for us to receive and act on feedback from our customers. OP
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