In the majority of cases the aligner itself will do most (if not all) of the work to accomplish the patients treatment goals. However, sometimes auxiliaries are needed.
The term “auxiliaries” as used in orthodontic treatment with clear aligners refers to an entity or item that may be used in conjunction with clear aligners to enhance the movement of, or effect a change in, the teeth or skeletal components.
Some of the more common auxiliaries used in clear aligner treatment are:
1. Bonded brackets or buttons with elastics for:
2. Limited braces
- Closing anterior and posterior open bites
- Pre-aligner treatment in the late mixed dentition
3. Expanders for:
- Skeletal expansion
- Dental expansion greater than 3-4mms
- Improving retention of the aligner
- “Nudging” a tooth (rotations, tipping, torqueing)
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5. Pontics when teeth are missing for:
- Esthetics
- To maintain space pre-restoration
6. Class II correctors and Molar distalizers
Where a movement is not being achieved as desired or planned with the aligner alone, auxiliaries can help to effect the desired movement.
Auxiliaries can assist with the following movements:
Until next time...