Clear aligners have quickly become one of the most popular orthodontic treatment options available today. Many general dentists pursue continuing education courses to offer this treatment, but not all the courses are created equal.
To fully prepare dentists, an effective course should cover the latest expert guidelines in the field. Here is what you need to know to stay up-to-date on important insights in the realm of clear aligners.
Case Selection and Treatment Difficulty Assessment
For any orthodontics course, it’s essential to first establish that clear aligners are more technical than many dentists first realize. There are numerous details to consider, starting from case selection. You need the knowledge and skills to accurately evaluate patient suitability.
The clear aligner treatment complexity assessment tool (CAT-CAT) is a prime example. It’s designed to help dentists categorize treatment difficulty into easy, moderate, difficult, and challenging cases. Learning this standardized method will help you streamline planning and avoid taking on cases outside your current skill level.
When choosing candidates for clear aligners, you’ll need to know how to identify cases that are well suited for the treatment, such as mild-to-moderate spacing, crowding, or minor bite discrepancies. That also entails knowing which cases aren’t a good fit, such as those requiring molar rotation or posterior movement.
Compliance is another key detail that can’t be overlooked during course selection. Patients can remove clear aligners as they please, and keeping them on for 20 to 22 hours each day is required for results. You need to know how to identify when patients are at risk of noncompliance and what you can do to help them.
Principles of Clear Aligner Therapy
Offering treatment requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals of how clear aligners achieve results. While braces apply pulling forces through wires and brackets, clear aligners instead rely on planned material deformation. As the aligner tries to return to its molded shape, it applies pressure that moves teeth into new positions.
The mechanics behind treatment depend on aligner integrity and contact surface area, so getting accurate impressions is vital for appropriate treatment. You’ll need to develop your abilities in digital scanning and the use of digital modeling workflows to provide the proper fit and pressure for your patients.
With each aligner in a series being fabricated based on predicted movements at different stages, it’s important to base the design on consideration of each of these stages. You’ll need to carefully evaluate and plan initial, intermediate, and final tooth positions to ensure successful outcomes.
Clinical Procedures and Potential Complications
Dentists should also take the time to familiarize themselves with the entire clear aligner workflow to avoid overlooking crucial details. That includes a variety of different steps, including digital impressions, treatment planning with aligner software, aligner fitting, and guidance for patients.
The importance of patient education in aligner therapy can’t be overstated. You must clearly explain wear-time expectations, instructions on how to properly insert and remove aligners, and other details concerning diet and oral hygiene. Noncompliance and damaged aligners are among the most common issues faced during treatment.
Monitoring during treatment is also essential. Treatment can deviate from planned tooth movement for a variety of reasons, such as patient noncompliance, inaccurate planning, and poor fit. Tracking these issues will allow midcourse corrections that can salvage treatment and prevent the need for more serious intervention later.
Advantages Over Traditional Fixed Appliances
When choosing orthodontic CE courses, clear aligners are just one option to pursue. There are also straight wire orthodontics and other treatments. However, many dentists choose to add clear aligners to their practices due to their popularity among potential patients.
One of the primary benefits of clear aligners is the lower incidence of white spot lesions compared to fixed appliances. The easy removal allows patients to maintain oral hygiene more easily, minimizing tooth decay, cavities, and other potential issues during treatment.
Patients also have a more comfortable treatment experience with clear aligners. They help avoid the abrasion caused by brackets, thanks to the completely smooth aligner surfaces. There’s also no need for adjustments, which are often the most uncomfortable aspect of having braces.
The appearance of clear aligners is another key reason why patients love them. Compared to more conspicuous braces, the aligners are practically invisible. They’re clear and follow the contours of the smile closely, so they can easily go unnoticed. While they may not be right for every case, the appearance of clear aligners alone tends to appeal to patients greatly.
Discover How You Can Add Clear Aligners to Your Practice
Clear aligners can be a powerful tool to support the health, function, and appearance of your patients’ smiles. However, prioritizing continuous education and staying informed on the latest advancements in the field is critical. Whether building a foundation or expanding your skills, you can find the right orthodontic course for your needs from the American Orthodontic Society. Browse our extensive course selection to get started today.
To learn more about our popular orthodontics courses for pediatric and general dentists, check out one of the upcoming events below.
