Abstract
Clear aligner therapy has evolved far beyond the correction of tooth position. Achieving successful treatment outcomes requires a comprehensive clinical approach that combines accurate diagnosis, appropriate case selection, biomechanical control and careful management throughout every stage of treatment.
This lecture will explore the clinical decision-making behind predictable aligner therapy through a selection of cases of varying complexity. Particular attention will be given to treatment planning, staging, attachments, auxiliaries and refinement strategies, highlighting how small clinical decisions can significantly influence the final outcome.
Beyond achieving the planned tooth movements, treatment success should also consider function, periodontal health, stability and the overall quality of the finishing. As patients progress through aligner therapy, maintaining an optimal oral environment becomes an integral part of clinical management. Practical considerations regarding plaque control, interdental care and daily oral hygiene during treatment will therefore be incorporated naturally within the clinical cases presented.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, participants will be able to:
- Explain the key principles of diagnosis and case selection for predictable clear aligner therapy.
- Apply biomechanical principles to optimize staging, attachments, and auxiliaries.
- Identify clinical factors that influence treatment progress and the need for refinements.
- Evaluate treatment outcomes considering function, periodontal health, stability, and finishing quality.
- Discuss practical oral hygiene and plaque-control strategies during clear aligner treatment.
