Conditions

intermediate · 1 min

Bruxism and Clear Aligner Wear

Aligners double as occlusal splints for mild bruxism but accelerate material creep in severe cases. The screening and material-swap protocol.

intermediate · 2 min

Diabetes: Perio Screen Before Aligner Start

Uncontrolled diabetes multiplies periodontal breakdown risk under aligner forces. The HbA1c and 6-point-chart gate before any tray is issued.

intermediate · 1 min

GERD and Aligner Material Integrity

Reflux exposure degrades aligner polymers and enamel simultaneously. Case selection, material choice, and medical co-management done properly.

intermediate · 4 min

Ankylosed Teeth: The One Tooth Aligners Cannot Move

An ankylosed tooth is fused to bone, no orthodontic force will move it, and every case must be screened before staging.

intermediate · 4 min

Class II Division 1: Protruded Upper Incisors

Class II div 1 is a distal molar relationship with proclined upper incisors, the classic 'buck teeth' pattern.

intermediate · 6 min

Class II Division 2: Retroclined Upper Incisors With Deep Bite

Class II div 2 combines a distal molar relationship with lingually-tipped upper incisors and a deep overbite.

intermediate · 4 min

Class III Malocclusion: Underbites & Skeletal Prognathism

Class III is a mesial molar relationship, dental camouflage works up to ~4mm; beyond that, surgery is the honest answer.

intermediate · 5 min

Gummy Smile: Orthodontic vs Restorative vs Surgical Fixes

A gummy smile >3mm gingival display needs a differential diagnosis, dental extrusion, altered passive eruption, or vertical maxillary excess.

intermediate · 5 min

Impacted Canines: Diagnosis and Aligner-Compatible Traction

Palatally impacted canines need CBCT localisation and a surgical-exposure-plus-traction plan, aligners can hold anchorage but cannot pull an impacted tooth alone.

intermediate · 7 min

Missing Lateral Incisors: Space Opening vs Space Closing

Congenitally missing upper laterals is one of the highest-stakes ortho decisions, implant space vs canine substitution.

intermediate · 5 min

Peg Laterals: Aligners + Composite Bonding Sequencing

Peg laterals are undersized lateral incisors, align first, bond last, or the composite gets in the aligner's way.

intermediate · 4 min

Scissor Bite: The Reverse-Overlap Posterior Malocclusion

In a scissor bite the upper posterior teeth completely bypass the lower, a locked bite that resists aligner correction without TADs.