Required Skill Set

Here we can see the different types of aligner treatments and the accompanying clinical skill sets that are required. It also serves as guidelines for clinicians learning about aligner treatments. Not surprisingly, as the case difficulty increases, orthodontic knowledge and skill sets need to be commensurate. 

Some clinicians may choose to select simpler cases where the staging is simpler, IPR and bonding and removal of attachments are the skill sets required whereas others may choose to get into skills such as smile considerations, Bolton analysis and cephalometric analysis. Indeed, advanced skill sets are what allow even the most complex malocclusions to be treated with aligners.

• Isolated Tooth Movement

Rationale: Alignment of isolated teeth is generally minor movement and maintains the same occlusal scheme.

• Anterior movement - Low step count

Rationale: The tooth movements are generally minor and maintain the same occlusal scheme.

• Anterior movement - High step count

Rationale: Tooth movements are generally minor to moderate, however, IPR, correction of midlines, overjet and overbite are considerations.