Auxiliaries

Auxiliaries used prior to aligners include:

• Expanders
• Distalizers Skeletal correctors
• TADs
• Elastics

Bars with aligners are where a portion of the aligner is raised 2-3mm above the gingival ridge in the space of missing teeth. This provides rigidity for the aligner and helps to fill undercuts.

Pontic functions as an artificial tooth on a fixed dental prosthesis replacing a missing natural tooth, restoring its function and esthetics. With aligners, since the aligner does not cover a tooth in this location, the void can be painted or filled to create the appearance of a tooth in that space.

TADs can be used with aligners for the molar intrusion to close the bite and for retraction. 

Elastics

• Class II or Ill corrections
• Vertical for extrusions
• Bite closing
• Rotations

• Class II elastics can be used to: 

1. Distalize teeth 
2. Advance teeth 
3. Reposture the mandible

• Options for attaching elastics 

1. To buttons bound to the teeth
2. To slit cut into the aligners

• Elastics can be used to assist with tooth movements, such as

1. Rotation
2. Extrusions

• Used as limited braces for:

1. Closing open bites 
2. Severe rotations 
3. Uprighting tipped teeth, especially molars 
4. Intruding groups of teeth with utility arches