Tooth Movement with Clear Aligners

Here we can see the different types of aligner treatments and the accompanying clinical skillsets that are required. It also serves as a guideline to clinicians learning about aligner treatments. Not surprisingly, as the case difficulty increases, orthodontic knowledge and skillsets 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 skillsets required whereas others may choose to get into skills such as smile considerations, Bolton analysis and cephalometric analysis. Indeed, advanced skillsets are what allows even the most complex malocclusions to be treated with aligners.

• Isolated Tooth Movements

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

• Anterior Teeth in One Arch

Rationale: Movements are generally minor and maintains the same occlusal scheme.

• Anterior Teeth in Both Arches

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

• Anterior and Posterior Teeth (alignment only - without change in molar classification).

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

• Anterior and Posterior Teeth (with change in molar classification)

Rationale: Anchorage considerations. Understanding of biomechanics to achieve root parallelism. Vertical changes possible.