Clinical

intermediate · 5 min

Periodontal Charting Before Aligners: Why It's Non-Negotiable

Full-mouth probing and bleeding-index charting is mandatory before starting aligners, periodontal disease under active movement causes rapid bone loss.

intermediate · 5 min

Persistent Anterior Open Bite Post-Treatment: Causes and Retreatment

A residual open bite usually means tongue thrust, incomplete posterior intrusion, or under-corrected staging, each with a different fix.

intermediate · 5 min

Post-Treatment Enamel Microcracks: Real Prevalence, Real Prevention

Debond-related microcracks occur in <2% of teeth. Slow-speed bur removal and adequate polishing keep the number close to zero.

intermediate · 5 min

Root Resorption Monitoring: Panoramic Screens at 6 and 12 Months

External apical root resorption is silent. A screening panoramic at 6 and 12 months catches the outlier cases early enough to pause treatment.

intermediate · 4 min

Root Resorption With Aligners: Real Risk, Realistic Rates

Apical root resorption of >2mm is reported in 5, 14% of ortho cases, aligners rank at the lower end of that range.

intermediate · 5 min

Speech Adaptation After Aligners: The 7-Day Rule

Sibilant sounds normalise within a week as the tongue adapts to new incisor angulation. Persistent lisp beyond 3 weeks needs speech assessment.

intermediate · 5 min

TMJ and Aligner Treatment: Screening, Precautions, Red Flags

TMD patients need a stable joint before ortho. Baseline joint screening, splint stabilisation and slow forces reduce flare-up risk.

intermediate · 5 min

Tooth Sensitivity During and After Aligner Treatment

Transient sensitivity comes from pulpal hyperaemia under active movement. It settles within days of finishing each tray and clears within a month of debond.

advanced · 6 min

Aligners and TMJ: Do They Cause or Cure Jaw Pain?

The relationship between orthodontics and TMD is nuanced. Modern aligners can improve, worsen or be neutral for TMJ symptoms depending on case selection.

intro · 6 min

Do You Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth Before Aligners?

The old belief that wisdom teeth cause crowding is not supported by evidence. Here is the current standard of care.